Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of IKK-B gene

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene, comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of the IKK-B gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by the expression or activation of the IKK-B gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/802,555, filed May 22, 2006, and U.S. Ser. No. 11/751,283, filed May 21, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirely.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), and its use in mediating RNA interference to inhibit the expression of the IKK-B gene and the use of the dsRNA to treat inflammation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been associated with a wide range of biological processes, including inflammation. Recruitment of immune cells to sites of injury involves the concerted interactions of a large number of soluble mediators, and several cytokines appear to play key roles in these processes, particularly IL-1 and INF. Both of these cytokines are derived from mononuclear cells and macrophages, along with other cell types. IL-1 and TNF produce many of the same proinflammatory responses, including fever, sleep and anorexia, mobilization and activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, induction of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, increase in adhesion molecule expression, activation of B-cells, T-cells and natural killer cells, and stimulation of production of other cytokines, and TNT also contribute to the tissue degeneration arising from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as stimulation of fibroblast proliferation and induction of collagenase. These cytokines have also been implicated in the process of bone resorption and adipose tissue regulation. Thus, IL-1 and TNF play key roles in a large number of pathological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, bone mass loss, cancer, neurological conditions such as ischemic stroke or closed head injuries

NF-.kappa.β is a heterodimeric transcription factor regulating the expression of multiple inflammatory genes. The expression of more than 70 known proteins is transcriptionally regulated by the binding of NF-.kappa.β to specific sequence elements in the promoter region of these genes (Baeuerle and Baichwal, Advances in immunology 65:111-137, 1997) NF-.kappa.β has been implicated in many pathophysiologic processes including angiogenesis (Koch et al., Nature 376:517-519, 1995), atherosclerosis (Brand et al., Clint Inv. 97:1715-1722, 1996), endotoxic shock and sepsis (Bohrer et al., J. Clin. Inv. 100: 972-985, 1997), inflammatory bowel disease (panes et al., Am. J. Physiol. 269:H1955-H1964, 1995), ischemia/reperfusion injury (Zwacka et al., Nature Medicine 4: 698-704, 1998), and allergic lung inflammation (Gosset et al., Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 106: 69-77, 1995). Many immune and inflammatory mediators including TNF.α, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-1, anti-CD28, CD40L, FasL, viral infection, and oxidative stress have been shown to lead to NF-.kappa.β activation. Because of the central role of NF-.kappa.β in inflammatory disease, inhibition of NF-.kappa.β by targeting regulatory proteins in the NF-.kappa.β activation pathway represents an attractive strategy for generating anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

The identification and characterization of kinases that phosphorylate I.kappa.βs has led to a better understanding of signaling pathways involving NF-.kappa.β activation. Several different subtypes of IKK have been identified thus far. IKK.α was initially identified as an I.kappa.β kinase induced by TNF.α stimulation in HeLa cells (DiDonato et al., (1997) Nature 388, 548-554). Another I.kappa.β kinase homologous to IKK.α was identified, termed IKK.β and determined to be the major I.kappa.β kinase induced following TNF.α stimulation (Takeda et al., (1999) Science 284, 313-316; Hu et al., (1999) Science 284, 316-320; Li et al., (1999) Science 284, 321-325; Pot et al., (2000) U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,834; Woronicz & Goeddel (1999) U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,302). IKK.α and IKK.β have an overall homology of 52% and a 65% homology in the kinase domain (Zandi et al., (1997) Cell 91, 243-252).

I.kappa.β protein kinases (IKKs) phosphorylate I.kappa.βs at specific serine residues. For example, they specifically phosphorylate serines 32 and 36 of I.kappa.β.α (Traenckner et al., (1995) EMBO J. 14, 2876-2883; DiDonato et al., (1996) Mol. Cell. Biol. 16, 1295-1304). Phosphorylation of both sites is required to efficiently target I.kappa.βa for degradation. Furthermore, activation of IKK.α and IKK.β is usually in response to NF-.kappa.β activating agents and mutant IKK.α and IKK.β, which are catalytically inactive, can be used to block NF-.kappa.β stimulation by cytokines such as INF.α and IL-1 (Rgnier et al., (1997) Cell 90, 373-383; Delhase et al., (1999) Science 284, 309-313). I.kappa.β protein kinases are therefore essential in the regulation of NF-.kappa.β activation processes.

IKK.α and IKK.β have distinct structural motifs including an amino terminal serine-threonine kinase domain separated from a carboxyl proximal helix-loop-helix (H-L-H) domain by a leucine zipper domain. These structural characteristics are unlike other kinases, and the non-catalytic domains are thought to be involved in protein-protein interactions. Proteins which bind to IKKs may therefore be capable of regulating the activity of NF-.kappa.β (Marcu et al., (1999) U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,655) and potentially regulating downstream events such as induction of NF-.kappa.β.

Inflammation is defined as the reaction of vascutarized living tissue to injury. As such, inflammation is a fundamental, stereotyped complex of cytologic and chemical reactions of affected blood vessels and adjacent tissues in response to an injury or abnormal stimulation caused by a physical, chemical or biological agent. Inflammation usually leads to the accumulation of fluid and blood cells at the site of injury, and is usually a healing process. However, inflammation sometimes causes harm, usually through a dysfunction of the normal progress of inflammation. Inflammatory diseases are those pertaining to, characterized by, causing, resulting from, or becoming affected by inflammation. Examples of inflammatory diseases or disorders include, without limitation, asthma, lung inflammation, chronic granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy, sarcoidosis, and silicosis, nephritis, amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic bronchitis, scleroderma, polymyositis, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, Sjorgen's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome, psoriasis, pelvic inflammatory disease, orbital inflammatory disease, thrombotic disease, and inappropriate allergic responses to environmental stimuli such as poison ivy, pollen, insect stings and certain foods, including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

Inflammatory diseases present a worldwide problem. Studies of disease burden have re-affirmed that tuberculosis is among the top 10 causes of death in the world, Asthma affects 5% of the adult population and 10-15% of the population of children (Armetti and Nicosia (1999) Boll Chim. Farm. 138(11): 599). Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with widespread but variable airflow obstruction.

Sepsis is yet another inflammation disorder and is caused by the presence of various pus-forming and other pathogenic microbes, or their toxins, in the blood or tissues of a subject. Sepsis is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response to bacterial products during infection. The symptoms of sepsis, such as fever, are caused at least in part by the inflammatory response of the body to the infecting agent.

Because of the important role played by TNF and IL-1 in many pathological conditions, and the involvement of IKK.α and IKK.β in the signal transduction of both TNF and IL-1, there is a need for compounds that potently and selectively inhibit either of these IKK kinases, as well as treatments or therapies using such compounds. The present invention satisfies these needs.

Recently, double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA) have been shown to block gene expression in a highly conserved regulatory mechanism known as RNA interference (RNAi). WO 99/32619 (Fire et al.) discloses the use of a dsRNA of at least 25 nucleotides in length to inhibit the expression of the IKK-B gene in C. elegans. dsRNA has also been shown to degrade target RNA in other organisms, including plants (see, e.g., WO 99/53050, Waterhouse et al.; and WO 99/61631, Eleifetz et al.), Drosophila (see, e.g., Yang, D., et al., Curr. Biol. (2000) 10:1191-1200), and mammals (see WO 00/4.4895, Limmer; and DE 101 00 586.5, Kreutzer et al.). This natural mechanism has now become the focus for the development of a new class of pharmaceutical agents for treating disorders that are caused by the aberrant or unwanted regulation of a gene.

Despite significant advances in the field of RNAi and advances in the treatment of inflammation, there remains a need for an agent that can selectively and efficiently silence the IKK-B gene using the cell's own RNAi machinery that has both high biological activity and in vivo stability, and that can effectively inhibit expression of a target IKK-B gene for use in treating inflammation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), as well as compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell or mammal using such dsRNA. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating pathological conditions and diseases caused by the expression of the IKK-B gene, such as in inflammation. The dsRNA of the invention comprises an RNA strand (the antisense strand) having a region which is less than 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, and is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA transcript of the IKK-B gene.

In embodiment, the invention provides double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene. The dsRNA comprises at least two sequences that are complementary to each other. The dsRNA comprises a sense strand comprising first sequence and an antisense strand comprising a second sequence. The antisense strand comprises a nucleotide sequence which is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA encoding IKK-B, and the region of complementarity is less than 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length. The dsRNA, upon contacting with a cell expressing the IKK-13, inhibits the expression of the IKK-B gene by at least 25%, and preferably by at least 25%, or preferably by at least 40%.

For example, the dsRNA molecules of the invention can be comprised of a first sequence of the dsRNA that is selected from the group consisting of the sense sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6 and the second sequence is selected from the group consisting of the antisense sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6. The dsRNA molecules of the invention can be comprised of naturally occurring nucleotides or can be comprised of at least one modified nucleotide, such as a 2′4)-methyl modified nucleotide, a nucleotide comprising a 5′-phosphorothioate group, and a terminal nucleotide linked to a cholesteryl derivative or dodecanoic acid bisdecylamide group. Alternatively, the modified nucleotide may be chosen from the group of: a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, a 2′-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide, 2′-amino-modified nucleotide, 2′-alkyl-modified nucleotide, morpholino nucleotide, a phosphoramidate, and a non-natural base comprising nucleotide. Generally, the first sequence of said dsRNA is selected from the group consisting of the sense sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6 and the second sequence is selected from the group consisting of the antisense sequences of Tables it 4 and 6.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a cell comprising one of the dsRNAs of the invention. The cell is generally a mammalian cell, such as a human cell.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in an organism, comprising one or more of the dsRNA of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell, comprising the following steps:

-   -   (a) introducing into the cell a double-stranded ribonucleic acid         (dsRNA), wherein the dsRNA comprises at least two sequences that         are complementary to each other. The dsRNA comprises a sense         strand comprising a first sequence and an antisense strand         comprising a second sequence. The antisense strand comprises a         region of complementarity which is substantially complementary         to at least a part of a mRNA encoding and wherein the region of         complementarity is less than 30 nucleotides in length, generally         19-24 nucleotides in length, and wherein the dsRNA, upon contact         with a cell expressing the IKK-B, inhibits expression of the         IKK-B gene by at least 25%, or preferably by at least 40%; and     -   (b) maintaining the cell produced in step (a) for a time         sufficient to obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of the         IKK-B gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the IKK-B gene in         the cell.

In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating, preventing or managing inflammation comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, prevention or management a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of one or more of the dsRNAs of the invention.

In another embodiment, the invention provides vectors thr inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell, comprising a regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least one strand of one of the dsRNA of the invention.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a cell comprising a vector for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell. The vector comprises a regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least one strand of one of the dsRNA of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows western blots demonstrating specific reduction in IKK-B protein (and not in IKK-A or beta-actin proteins) over time following in vitro transfection of human A549 cells with siRNA to IKK-B. Temporal protein expression of IKK2, IKK1, and beta-actin are shown after transfection of 100 nM IKK2 siRNA in A549 cells versus mock-transfected cells. AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442 represent chemically-modified IKK2 siRNA while AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624 are the same siRNA duplex sequences without 2′ O-methyl chemical modifications.

FIG. 2 shows quantitation of specific decrease in IKK-B protein levels over time (and not IKK-A protein) following transfection of human A549 cells with siRNA to IKK-B. Protein levels were normalized to beta-actin for each time point and IKK expression expressed relative to time matched mock transfected A549 cells. Results (n=3) are expressed as mean±SEM.

FIG. 3 shows reduction in IKK-B mRNA and protein levels following in vitro transfection of primary human airway smooth muscle cells with siRNA IKK-B. HASM cells were transfected with 100 nM IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4442) or AL-DP-4442 mismatch IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-1976) and 72 hours later IKK2 mRNA and protein levels were assessed.

FIG. 4 shows reduction in IKK-B mRNA following in vitro transfection of rat L2 epithelial cells with siRNA to IKK-B. Levels of expression of IKK2 are shown after transfection of 100 nM IKK2 siRNA in L2 rat epithelial cells versus mock-transfected cells. AL-DP-4440, -4441, -4442 represent chemically-modified IKK2 siRNA while AL-DP-4619, -4623, and -4624 are the same siRNA duplex sequences without 2′ O-methyl modifications. AL-DP-4623/4441 has 2 mismatches to the rat IKK2 mRNA sequence.

FIG. 5 shows reduction in IKK-B mRNA following in vivo administration of siRNA to IKKB.

FIGS. 6A-6C show the effect of in vivo administration of siRNA to IKK-B on TNF, IL-1 and iNOS expression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), as well as compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell or mammal using the dsRNA. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating pathological conditions and diseases in a mammal caused by the expression of the IKK-B gene using dsRNA. dsRNA directs the sequence-specific degradation of mRNA through a process known as RNA interference (RNAi). The process occurs in a wide variety of organisms, including mammals and other vertebrates.

The dsRNA of the invention comprises an RNA strand (the antisense strand) having a region which is less than 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, and is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA transcript of the IKK-β gene. The use of these dsRNAs enables the targeted degradation of mRNAs of genes that are implicated in inflammation response in mammals. Using cell-based and animal assays, the present inventors have demonstrated that very low dosages of these dsRNA can specifically and efficiently mediate RNAi, resulting in significant inhibition of expression of the IKK-B gene. Thus, the methods and compositions of the invention comprising these dsRNAs are useful for treating inflammation.

The following detailed description discloses how to make and use the dsRNA and compositions containing dsRNA to inhibit the expression of a target IKK-B gene, as well as compositions and methods for treating diseases and disorders caused by the expression of IKK-B, such as inflammation. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise a dsRNA having an antisense strand comprising a region of complementarity which is less than 30 nucleotides length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, and is substantially complementary to at least part of an RNA transcript of the IKK-B gene, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Accordingly, certain aspects of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, methods of using the compositions to inhibit expression of the IKK-B gene, and methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions to treat diseases caused by expression of the IKK-B gene.

I. Definitions

For convenience, the meaning of certain terms and phrases used in the specification, examples, and appended claims, are provided below. If there is an apparent discrepancy between the usage of a term in other parts of this specification and its definition provided in this section, the definition in this section shall prevail.

“G,” “C,” and “U” each generally stand for a nucleotide that contains guanine, cytosine, adenine, and uracil as a base, respectively. However, it will be understood that the term “ribonucleotide” or “nucleotide” can also refer to a modified nucleotide, as further detailed below, or a surrogate replacement moiety. The skilled person is well aware that guanine, cytosine, adenine, and uracil may be replaced by other moieties without substantially altering the base pairing properties of an oligonucleotide comprising a nucleotide bearing such replacement moiety. For example, without limitation, a nucleotide comprising inosine as its base may base pair with nucleotides containing adenine, cytosine, or uracil. Hence, nucleotides containing uracil, guanine, or adenine may be replaced in the nucleotide sequences of the invention by a nucleotide containing, for example, inosine. Sequences comprising such replacement moieties are embodiments of the invention.

By “IKK-B” as used herein is meant, the inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells, RefSeq ID number NM-000660, as well as the IKK-B mRNA, protein, peptide, or polypeptide. The term “IKK-B” is also known in the art as kinase beta, IKK.β, IKK2, NFKNIKB, NCBI GeneID:3551 and HGNC ID: HGNC:5960.

As used herein, “target sequence” refers to a contiguous portion of the nucleotide sequence of an mRNA molecule formed during the transcription of the IKK-B gene, including mRNA that is a product of RNA processing of a primary transcription product.

As used herein, the term “strand comprising a sequence” refers to an oligonucieotide comprising a chain of nucleotides that is described by the sequence referred to using the standard nucleotide nomenclature.

As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the term “complementary,” when used to describe a first nucleotide sequence in relation to a second nucleotide sequence, refers to the ability of an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising the first nucleotide sequence to hybridize and form a duplex structure under certain conditions with an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising the second nucleotide sequence, as will be understood by the skilled person. Such conditions can, for example, be stringent conditions, where stringent conditions may include: 400 mM NaCl, 40 mM PIPES pH 6.4, 1 mM ED717A, 50° C. or 70° C. for 12-16 hours followed by washing. Other conditions, such as physiologically relevant conditions as may be encountered inside an organism, can apply. The skilled person will be able to determine the set of conditions most appropriate for a test of complementarity of two sequences in accordance with the ultimate application of the hybridized nucleotides.

This includes base-pairing of the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising the first nucleotide sequence to the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide comprising the second nucleotide sequence over the entire length of the first and second nucleotide sequence. Such sequences can be referred to as “fully complementary” with respect to each other herein. However, where a first sequence is referred to as “substantially complementary” with respect to a second sequence herein, the two sequences can be fully complementary, or they may form one or more, hut generally not more than 4, 3 or 2 mismatched base pairs upon hybridization, white retaining the ability to hybridize under the conditions most relevant to their ultimate application. However, where two oligonucleotides are designed to form, upon hybridization, one or more single stranded overhangs, such overhangs shall not be regarded as mismatches with regard to the determination of complementarity. For example, a dsRNA comprising one oligonucleotide 21 nucleotides in length and another oligonucleotide 23 nucleotides in length, wherein the longer oligonucleotide comprises a sequence of 21 nucleotides that is complementary to the shorter oligonucleotide, may yet be referred to as “fully complementary” for the purposes of the invention.

“Complementary” sequences, as used herein, may also include, or be formed entirely from, non-Watson-Crick base pairs and/or base pairs formed from non-natural and modified nucleotides, in as far as the above requirements with respect to their ability to hybridize are fulfilled.

The terms “complementary”, “fully complementary” and “substantially complementary” herein may be used with respect to the base matching between the sense strand and the antisense strand of a dsRNA, or between the antisense strand of a dsRNA and a target sequence, as will be understood from the context of their use.

As used herein, a polynucleotide which is “substantially complementary to at least part of” a messenger RNA (mRNA) refers to a polynucleotide which is substantially complementary to a contiguous portion of the mRNA of interest (e.g., encoding IKK-B). For example, a polynucleotide is complementary to at least a part of a IKK-B mRNA if the sequence is substantially complementary to a non-interrupted portion of a mRNA encoding IKK-B.

The term “double-stranded RNA” or “dsRNA”, as used herein, refers to a ribonucleic acid molecule, or complex of ribonucleic acid molecules, having a duplex structure comprising two anti-parallel and substantially complementary, as defined above, nucleic acid strands. The two strands forming the duplex structure may be different portions of one larger RNA molecule, or they may be separate RNA molecules. Where the two strands are part of one larger molecule, and therefore are connected by an uninterrupted chain of nucleotides between the 3′-end of one strand and the 5′ end of the respective other strand forming the duplex structure, the connecting RNA chain is referred to as a “hairpin loop”. Where the two strands are connected covalently by means other than an uninterrupted chain of nucleotides between the 3′-end of one strand and the 5′ end of the respective other strand forming the duplex structure, the connecting structure is referred to as a “linker”. The RNA strands may have the same or a different number of nucleotides. The maximum number of base pairs is the number of nucleotides in the shortest strand of the dsRNA. In addition to the duplex structure, a dsRNA may comprise one or more nucleotide overhangs.

As used herein, a “nucleotide overhang” refers to the unpaired nucleotide or nucleotides that protrude from the duplex structure of a dsRNA when a 3′-end of one strand of the dsRNA extends beyond the 5′-end of the other strand, or vice versa, “Blunt” or “blunt end” means that there are no unpaired nucleotides at that end of the dsRNA, i.e., no nucleotide overhang. A “blunt ended” dsRNA is a dsRNA that is double-stranded over its entire length, i.e., no nucleotide overhang at either end of the molecule.

The term “antisense strand” refers to the strand of a dsRNA which includes a region that is substantially complementary to a target sequence. As used herein, the term “region of complementarity” refers to the region on the antisense strand that is substantially complementary to a sequence, for example a target sequence, as defined herein. Where the region of complementarily is not fully complementary to the target sequence, the mismatches are most tolerated in the terminal regions and, if present, are generally in a terminal region or regions, e.g., within 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 nucleotides of the 5′ and/or 3′ terminus.

The term “sense strand,” as used herein, refers to the strand of a dsRNA that includes a region that is substantially complementary to a region of the antisense strand.

“Introducing into a cell”, when referring to a dsRNA, means facilitating uptake or absorption into the cell, as is understood by those skilled in the art. Absorption or uptake of dsRNA can occur through unaided diffusive or active cellular processes, or by auxiliary agents or devices. The meaning of this term is not limited to cells in vitro; a dsRNA may also be “introduced into a cell”, wherein the cell is part of a living organism. In such instance, introduction into the cell will include the delivery to the organism. For example, for in vivo delivery, dsRNA can be injected into a tissue site or administered systemically. In vitro introduction into a cell includes methods known in the art such as electroporation and lipofection.

The terms “silence” and “inhibit the expression of”, in as far as they refer to the IKK-B gene, herein refer to the at least partial suppression of the expression of the IKK-B gene, as manifested by a reduction of the amount of mRNA transcribed from the IKK-B gene which may be isolated from a first cell or group of cells in which the IKK-B gene is transcribed and which has or have been treated such that the expression of the IKK-B gene is inhibited, as compared to a second cell or group of cells substantially identical to the first cell or group of cells but which has or have not been so treated (control cells). The degree of inhibition is usually expressed in terms of

${\frac{\left( {{mRNA}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{control}\mspace{14mu}{cells}} \right) - \left( {{mRNA}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{treated}\mspace{14mu}{cells}} \right)}{\left( {{mRNA}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{control}\mspace{14mu}{cells}} \right)} \cdot 100}\%$

Alternatively, the degree of inhibition may be given in terms of a reduction of a parameter that is functionally linked to IKK-B gene transcription, e.g. the amount of protein encoded by the IKK-B gene which is secreted by a cell, or the number of cells displaying a certain phenotype, e.g apoptosis. In principle, IKK-B gene silencing may be determined in any cell expressing the target, either constitutively or by genomic engineering, and by any appropriate assay. However, when a reference is needed in order to determine whether a given siRNA inhibits the expression of the IKK-B gene by a certain degree and therefore is encompassed by the instant invention, the assays provided in the Examples below shall serve as such reference.

For example, in certain instances, expression of the IKK-B gene is suppressed by at least about 20%, 25%, 35%, 40% or 50% by administration of the double-stranded oligonucleotide of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the IKK-B gene is suppressed by at least about 60%, 70%, or 80% by administration of the double-stranded oligonucleotide of the invention, in a more preferred embodiment, the IKK-B gene is suppressed by at least about 85%, 90%, or 95% by administration of the double-stranded oligonucleotide of the invention.

The terms “treat”, “treatment”, and the like, refer to relief from or alleviation of inflammation. In the context of the present invention insofar as it relates to any of the other conditions recited herein below (other than inflammation), the terms “treat”, “treatment”, and the like mean to relieve or alleviate at least one symptom associated with such condition, or to slow or reverse the progression of such condition.

As used herein, the term “IKK-mediated condition or disease” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, IKK activity, Inappropriate IKK functional activity might arise as the result of IKK expression in cells which normally do not express IKK, increased IKK expression (leading to, e.g., inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases) or decreased expression. IKK-mediated condition or disease may be completely or partially mediated by inappropriate IKK functional activity. However, an IKK-mediated condition or disease is one in which modulation of IKK results in some effect on the underlying condition or disorder (e.g., an IKK inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

As used herein, the phrases “therapeutically effective amount” and “prophylactically effective amount” refer to an amount that provides a therapeutic benefit in the treatment, prevention, or management of inflammation or an overt symptom of inflammation. The specific amount that is therapeutically effective can be readily determined by ordinary medical practitioner, and may vary depending on factors known in the art, such as, e.g. the type of inflammation, the patient's history and age, the stage of inflammation, and the administration of other anti-inflammation agents.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutical composition” comprises a pharmacologically effective amount of a dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein, “pharmacologically effective amount,” “therapeutically effective amount” or simply “effective amount” refers to that amount of an RNA effective to produce the intended pharmacological, therapeutic or preventive result. For example, if a given clinical treatment is considered effective when there is at least a 25% reduction in a measurable parameter associated with a disease or disorder, a therapeutically effective amount of a drug for the treatment of that disease or disorder is the amount necessary to effect at least a 25% reduction in that parameter.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to a carrier for administration of a therapeutic agent. Such carriers include, but are not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, water, glycerol, ethanol, and combinations thereof. The term specifically excludes cell culture medium. For drugs administered orally, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as inert diluents, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preservatives. Suitable inert diluents include sodium and calcium carbonate, sodium and calcium phosphate, and lactose, while corn starch and alginic acid are suitable disintegrating agents. Binding agents may include starch and gelatin, while the lubricating agent, if present, will generally be magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc, if desired, the tablets may be coated with a material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, to delay absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

As used herein, a “transformed cell” is a cell into which a vector has been introduced from which a dsRNA molecule may be expressed.

II. Double-Stranded Ribonucleic Acid (dsRNA)

In one embodiment, the invention provides double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a cell or mammal, wherein the dsRNA comprises an antisense strand comprising a region of complementarity which is complementary to at least a part of an mRNA formed in the expression of the IKK-B gene, and wherein the region of complementarity is less than 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, and wherein said dsRNA, upon contact with a cell expressing said IKK-13 gene, inhibits the expression of said IKK-B gene by at least 25%, or preferably by at least 40%. The dsRNA comprises two RNA strands that are sufficiently complementary to hybridize to form a duplex structure. One strand of the dsRNA (the antisense strand) comprises a region of complementarily that is substantially complementary, and generally fully complementary, to a target sequence, derived from the sequence of an mRNA formed during the expression of the IKK-B gene, the other strand (the sense strand) comprises a region which is complementary to the antisense strand, such that the two strands hybridize and form a duplex structure when combined under suitable conditions. Generally, the duplex structure is between 15 and 30, more generally between 18 and 25, yet more generally between 19 and 24, and most generally between 21 and 23 base pairs in length. Similarly, the region of complementarity to the target sequence is between 15 and 30, more generally between 18 and 25, yet more generally between 19 and 24, and most generally between 21 and 23 nucleotides in length. The dsRNA of the invention may further comprise one or more single-stranded nucleotide overhang(s). The dsRNA can be synthesized by standard methods known in the art as further discussed below, e.g., by use of an automated DNA synthesizer, such as are commercially available from, for example, Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, Inc. In a preferred embodiment, the IKK-B gene is the human IKK-B gene. In specific embodiments, the antisense strand of the dsRNA comprises the sense sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6 and the second sequence is selected from the group consisting of the antisense sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6.

In further embodiments, the dsRNA comprises at least one nucleotide sequence selected from the groups of sequences provided in Tables 1, 4 and 6. In other embodiments, the dsRNA comprises at least two sequences selected from this group, wherein one of the at least two sequences is complementary to another of the at least two sequences, and one of the at least two sequences is substantially complementary to a sequence of an mRNA generated in the expression of the IKK-B gene. Generally, the dsRNA comprises two oligonucleotides, wherein one oligonucleotide is described as the sense strand in Tables 1, 4 and 6 and the second oligonucleotide is described as the antisense strand in Tables 1, 4 and 6

The skilled person is well aware that dsRNAs comprising a duplex structure of between 20 and 23, but specifically 21, base pairs have been hailed as particularly effective in inducing RNA interference (Elbashir et al., EMBO 2001, 20:6877-6888). However, others have found that shorter or longer dsRNAs can be effective as well. In the embodiments described above, by virtue of the nature of the oligonucleotide sequences provided in Tables 1, 4 and 6, the dsRNAs of the invention can comprise at least one strand of a length of minimally 21 nt. It can be reasonably expected that shorter dsRNAs comprising one of the sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6 minus only a few nucleotides on one or both ends may be similarly effective as compared to the dsRNAs described above. Hence, dsRNAs comprising a partial sequence of at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more contiguous nucleotides from one of the sequences of Tables 1, 4 and 6, and differing in their ability to inhibit the expression of the IKK-B gene in a FACS assay as described herein below by not more than 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30% inhibition from a dsRNA comprising the full sequence, are contemplated by the invention.

In addition, the RNAi agents provided in Tables 1, 4 and 6 identify a site in the IKK-B mRNA that is susceptible to RNAi based cleavage. As such the present invention further includes RNAi agents that target within the sequence targeted by one of the agents of the present invention. As used herein a second RNAi agent is said to target within the sequence of a first RNAi agent if the second RNAi agent cleaves the message anywhere within the mRNA that is complementary to the antisense strand of the first RNAi agent. Such a second agent will generally consist of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides from one of the sequences provided in Tables 1, 4 and 6 coupled to additional nucleotide sequences taken from the region contiguous to the selected sequence in the IKK-B gene. For example, the last 15 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 combined with the next 6 nucleotides from the target IKK43 gene produces a single strand agent of 21 nucleotides that is based on one of the sequences provided in Tables 1, 4 and 6.

The dsRNA of the invention can contain one or more mismatches to the target sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the dsRNA of the invention contains no more than 3 mismatches. If the antisense strand of the dsRNA contains mismatches to a target sequence, it is preferable that the area of mismatch not be located in the center of the region of complementarity. If the antisense strand of the dsRNA contains mismatches to the target sequence, it is preferable that the mismatch be restricted to 5 nucleotides from either end, for example 5, 4, 3, 2, or I nucleotide from either the 5′ or 3′ end of the region of complementarity. For example, for a 23 nucleotide dsRNA strand which is complementary to a region of the IKK-B gene, the dsRNA generally does not contain any mismatch within the central 13 nucleotides. The methods described within the invention can be used to determine whether a dsRNA containing a mismatch to a target sequence is effective in inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene. Consideration of the efficacy of dsRNAs with mismatches in inhibiting expression of the IKK-B gene is important, especially if the particular region of complementarity in the IKK-B gene is known to have polymorphic sequence variation within the population.

In one embodiment, at leas one end of the dsRNA has a single-stranded nucleotide overhang of 1 to 4, generally 1 or 2 nucleotides. dsRNAs having at least one nucleotide overhang have unexpectedly superior inhibitory properties than their blunt-ended counterparts. Moreover, the present inventors have discovered that the presence of only one nucleotide overhang strengthens the interference activity of the dsRNA, without affecting its overall stability. dsRNA having only one overhang has proven particularly stable and effective in vivo, as well as in a variety of cells, cell culture mediums, blood, and serum. Generally, the single-stranded overhang is located at the 3′-terminal end of the antisense strand or, alternatively, at the 3′-terminal end of the sense strand. The dsRNA may also have a blunt end, generally located at the 5′-end of the antisense strand. Such dsRNAs have improved stability and inhibitory activity, thus allowing administration at low dosages, i.e., less than 5 mg/kg body weight of the recipient per day. Generally, the antisense strand of the dsRNA has a nucleotide overhang at the 3′-end, and the 5′-end is blunt. In another embodiment, one or more of the nucleotides in the overhang is replaced with a nucleoside thiophosphate.

In yet another embodiment, the dsRNA is chemically modified to enhance stability. The nucleic acids of the invention may be synthesized and/or modified by methods well established in the art, such as those described in “Current protocols in nucleic acid chemistry”, Beaucage, et al. (Edrs.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Specific examples of preferred dsRNA compounds useful in this invention include dsRNAs containing modified backbones or no natural internucleoside linkages. As defined. In this specification, dsRNAs having modified backbones include those that retain a phosphorus atom in the backbone and those that do not have a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of this specification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified dsRNAs that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

Preferred modified dsRNA backbones include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene, oho and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionaphosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those) having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent pairs of nucleoside units are linked 3′-5′ tot 5′-3′ or 2′-5′ to 5′-2′. Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,195; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,316; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; and 5,625,050, each of which is herein incorporated by reference

Preferred modified dsRNA backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatoms and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or ore or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,64,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; and, 5,677,439, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In other preferred dsRNA mimetics, both the sugar and the internucleoside linkage, i.e., the backbone, of the nucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The base units are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target compound. One such oligomeric compound, an dsRNA mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar backbone of an dsRNA is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

Most preferred embodiments of the invention are dsRNAs with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatom backbones, and in particular —CH.sub.2-NH—CH.sub.2-, —CH.sub.2-N(CH.sub.3)-O-CH.sub.2- [known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH.sub.2-O—N(CH.sub.3)-CH.sub.2-, —CH.sub.2-N(CH.sub.3)-O—N(CH.sub.3)-CH.sub.2- and —N(CH.sub.3)-CH.sub.2-CH.sub.2- [wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as —O—P—O—CH.sub.2-] of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also preferred are dsRNAs having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

Modified dsRNAs may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. Preferred dsRNAs comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: OH; F; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O[CH.sub.2).sub.nO].sub.mCH.sub.3, O(CH.sub.2).sub.nOCH.sub.3, O(CH.sub.2).sub.nNH.sub.2, O(CH.sub.2).sub.nCH.sub.3, O(CH.sub.2).sub.nONH.sub.2, and O(CH.sub.2).sub.nON[CH.sub.2).sub.nCH.su-b.3)].sub.2, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other preferred dsRNAs comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH.sub.3, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, SOCH.sub.3, SO.sub.2CH.sub.3, ONO.sub.2, NO.sub.2, N.sub.3, NH.sub.2, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, amino alkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an dsRNA, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an dsRNA, and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′-O—CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.3, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) i.e., an alkoxy-alkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH.sub.2).sub.2ON(CH.sub.3).sub.2 group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, as described in examples hereinbelow, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH.sub.2-O—CH.sub.2-N(CH.sub.2).sub.2, also described in examples hereinbelow.

Other preferred modifications include 2′-methoxy (T-OCH.sub.3), 2′-aminopropoxy (2-OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the dsRNA, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linked dsRNAs and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. DsRNAs may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; and 5,700,920, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

DsRNAs may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as “base”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (U), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (I), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl uracil and cytosine, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl anal other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo, particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, these disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y S., Chapter 15, DsRNA Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., Ed., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and 0-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2.degree. C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., Eds., DsRNA Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp, 276-278) and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of certain of the above noted modified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobases include, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,30; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; and 5,681,941, each of which is herein incorporated by reference, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,692, also herein incorporated by reference.

Another modification of the dsRNAs of the invention involves chemically linking to the dsRNA one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the dsRNA. Such moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acid. Sci. USA, 199, 86, 6553-6556), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Biorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994 4 1053-1060), a thioether, e.g., beryl-S-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660, 306-309; Manoharan et al., Biorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3, 2765-2770), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20, 533-538), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J. 1991, 10, 1111-1118; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259, 327-330; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75, 49-54), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethyl-ammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-Hphosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18, 3777-3783), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14, 969-973), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264, 229-237), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyloxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277, 923-937).

Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of such dsRNA conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241; 5,391,723; 5,416,203; 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at a single nucleoside within an dsRNA. The present invention also includes dsRNA compounds which are chimeric compounds. “Chimeric” dsRNA compounds or “chimeras,” in the context of this invention, are dsRNA compounds, particularly dsRNAs, which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an dsRNA compound. These dsRNAs typically contain at least one region wherein the dsRNA is modified so as to confer upon the dsRNA increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the dsRNA may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of dsRNA inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter dsRNAs when chimeric dsRNAs are used, compared to phosphorothioate deoxydsRNAs hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

In certain instances, the dsRNA may be modified by a non-ligand group. A number of non-ligand molecules have been conjugated to dsRNAs in order to enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the dsRNA, and procedures for performing such conjugations are available in the scientific literature. Such non-ligand moieties have included lipid moieties, such as cholesterol (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 1989, 86:6553), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1994, 4:1053), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-5-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660:306; Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3:2765), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20:533), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J., 1991, 10:111; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259:327; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75:49), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36:3651; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18:3777), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14:969), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36:3651), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264:229), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol, Exp. Ther., 1996, 277:923). Representative U.S. patents that teach the preparation of such dsRNA conjugates have been listed above. Typical conjugation protocols involve the synthesis of dsRNAs bearing an aminolinker at one or more positions of the sequence. The amino group is then reacted with the molecule being conjugated using appropriate coupling or activating reagents. The conjugation reaction may be performed either with the dsRNA still bound to the solid support or following cleavage of the dsRNA in solution phase. Purification of the dsRNA conjugate by HPLC typically affords the pure conjugate. The use of a cholesterol conjugate is particularly preferred since such a moiety can increase targeting vaginal epithelium cells, a site of IKK-B expression.

Vector Encoded RNAi Agents

The dsRNA of the invention can also be expressed from recombinant viral vectors intracellularly in vivo. The recombinant viral vectors of the invention comprise sequences encoding the dsRNA of the invention and any suitable promoter for expressing the dsRNA sequences. Suitable promoters include, for example, the U6 or H1 RNA pol III promoter sequences and the cytomegalovirus promoter. Selection of other suitable promoters is within the skill in the art. The recombinant viral vectors of the invention can also comprise inducible or regulatable promoters for expression of the dsRNA in a particular tissue or in a particular intracellular environment. The use of recombinant viral vectors to deliver dsRNA of the invention to cells in vivo is discussed in more detail below.

dsRNA of the invention can be expressed from a recombinant viral vector either as two separate, complementary RNA molecules, or as a single RNA molecule with two complementary regions.

Any viral vector capable of accepting the coding sequences for the dsRNA molecule(s) to be expressed can be used, for example vectors derived from adenovirus (AV); adeno-associated virus (AAV); retroviruses (e.g, lentiviruses (LV), Rhabdoviruses, murine leukemia virus); herpes virus, and the like. The tropism of viral vectors can be modified by pseudotyping the vectors with envelope proteins or other surface antigens from other viruses, or by substituting different viral capsid proteins, as appropriate.

For example, lentiviral vectors of the invention can be pseudotyped with surface proteins from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), rabies, Ebola, Mokola, and the like. AAV vectors of the invention can be made to target different cells by engineering the vectors to express different capsid protein serotypes. For example, an AAV vector expressing a serotype 2 capsid on a serotype 2 genome is called AAV 2/2. This serotype 2 capsid gene in the AAV 2/2 vector can be replaced by a serotype 5 capsid gene to produce an AAV 2/5 vector. Techniques for constructing AAV vectors which express different capsid protein serotypes are within the skill in the art; see, e.g., Rabinowitz J E et al. (2002), J Virol 76:791-801, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Selection of recombinant viral vectors suitable for use in the invention, methods for inserting nucleic acid sequences for expressing the dsRNA into the vector, and methods of delivering the viral vector to the cells of interest are within the skill in the art. See, for example, Dornburg R (1995), Gene Therap. 2: 301-310; M A (1988), Biotechniques 6: 608-614; Miller A D (1990), Hum Gene Therap. 1: 5-14; Anderson W F (1998), Nature 392: 25-30; and Rubinson D A et al., Nat. Genet. 33: 401-406, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Preferred viral vectors are those derived from AV and AAV. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dsRNA of the invention is expressed as two separate, complementary single-stranded RNA molecules from a recombinant AAV vector comprising, for example, either the U6 or H1 RNA promoters, or the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter.

A suitable AV vector for expressing the dsRNA of the invention, a method for constructing the recombinant AV vector, and a method for delivering the vector into target cells, are described in Xia H et al., (2002), Nat. Biotech. 20: 1006-1010.

Suitable AAV vectors for expressing the dsRNA of the invention, methods for constructing the recombinant AV vector, and methods for delivering the vectors into target cells are described in Samulski R et al. (1987), J. Virol. 61: 3096-3101; Fisher K J et al. (1996), J. Virol. 70: 520-532; Samulski R et al. (1989), J. Virol. 63: 3822-3826; U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,479; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,941; International Patent Application No. WO 94/13788; and International Patent Application No. WO 93/24641, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

III. Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising dsRNA

In one embodiment, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a dsRNA, as described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA is useful for treating a disease or disorder associated with the expression or activity of the IKK-B gene, such as pathological processes mediated by IKK-B expression. Such pharmaceutical compositions are formulated based on the mode of delivery. One example is compositions that are formulated for systemic administration via parenteral delivery.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are administered in dosages sufficient to inhibit expression of the IKK-B gene. The present inventors have found that, because of their improved efficiency, compositions comprising the dsRNA of the invention can be administered at surprisingly low dosages. A maximum dosage of 5 mg dsRNA per kilogram body weight of recipient per day is sufficient to inhibit or completely suppress expression of the IKK-B gene.

In general, a suitable dose of dsRNA will be in the range of 0.01 to 5.0 milligrams per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, generally in the range of 1 microgram to 1 mg per kilogram body weight per day. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered once daily, or the dsRNA may be administered as two, three, or more sub-doses at appropriate intervals throughout the day or even using continuous infusion or delivery through a controlled release formulation. In that case, the dsRNA contained in each sub-dose must be correspondingly smaller in order to achieve the total daily dosage. The dosage unit can also be compounded for delivery over several days, e.g., using a conventional sustained release formulation which provides sustained release of the dsRNA over a several day period. Sustained release formulations are well known in the art and are particularly useful for vaginal delivery of agents, such as could be used with the agents of the present invention. In this embodiment, the dosage unit contains a corresponding multiple of the daily dose.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that certain factors may influence the dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, including but not limited to the severity of the disease or disorder, previous treatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and other diseases present. Moreover, treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of a composition can include a single treatment or a series of treatments. Estimates of effective dosages and in vivo half-lives for the individual dsRNAs encompassed by the invention can be made using conventional methodologies or on the basis of in vivo testing using an appropriate animal model, as described elsewhere herein.

Advances in mouse genetics have generated a number of mouse models thr the study of various human diseases, such as pathological processes mediated by IKK-B expression. Such models are used for in vivo testing of dsRNA, as well as for determining a therapeutically effective dose.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations which include the dsRNA compounds of the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical, pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal, epidermal and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Administration may also be designed to result in preferential localization to particular tissues through local delivery, e.g. by direct intraarticular injection into joints, by rectal administration for direct delivery to the gut and intestines, by intravaginal administration for delivery to the cervix and vagina, by intravitreal administration for delivery to the eye. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, intraarticular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration.

Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful. Preferred topical formulations include those in which the dsRNAs of the invention are in admixture with a topical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants. Preferred lipids and liposomes include neutral (e.g. dioleoylphosphatidyl DOPE ethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC, distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g. dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g., dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAP and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine DOTMA), DsRNAs of the invention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form complexes thereto, in particular to cationic liposomes. Alternatively, dsRNAs may be complexed to lipids, in particular to cationic lipids. Preferred fatty acids and esters include but are not limited arachidonic acid, oleic acid, eicosanoic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, cupric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl ester (e.g. isopropylmyristate IPM), monoglyceride, diglyceride or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Topical formulations are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/315,298 filed on May 20, 1999 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Compositions and formulations for oral administration include powders or granules, microparticulates, nanoparticulates, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, gel capsules, sachets, tablets or minitablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. Preferred oral formulations are those in which dsRNAs of the invention are administered in conjunction with one or more penetration enhancers surfactants and chelators. Preferred surfactants include fatty acids and/or esters or salts thereof bile acids and/or salts thereof. Preferred bile acids/salts include chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and ursodeoxychenodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), cholic acid, dehydrocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, glucholic acid, glycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate and sodium glycodihydrofusidate. Preferred fatty acids include arachidonic acid, undecanoic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g. sodium). Also preferred are combinations of penetration enhancers, for example, fatty acids/salts in combination with bile acids/salts. A particularly preferred combination is the sodium salt of lauric acid, capric acid and UDCA. Further penetration enhancers include polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether, DsRNAs of the invention may be delivered orally, in granular form including sprayed dried particles, or complexed to form micro or nanoparticles. DsRNA complexing agents include poly-amino acids; polyimines; polyacrylates; polyalkylacrylates, polyoxethanes, polyalkylcyanoacrylates; cationized gelatins, albumins, starches, acrylates, polyethyleneglycols (PEG) and starches; polyalkylcyanoacrylates; DEAE-derivatized polyimines, pollulans, celluloses and starches. Particularly preferred complexing agents include chitosan, N-trimethylchitosan, poly-L-lysine, polyhistidine, polyornithine, polyspermines, protamine, polyvinylpyridine, polythiodiethylaminomethylethylene P(TDAE), polyaminostyrene (e.g, p-amino), poly(methylcyanoacrylate), poly(ethylcyanoacrylate), poly(butylcyanoacrylate), poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate), poly(isohexylcynaoacrylate), DEAE-methacrylate, DEAE-hexylacrylate, DEAE-acrylamide, DEAE-albumin and DEAE-dextran, polymethylacrylate, polyhexylacrylate, poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), alginate, and polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Oral formulations for dsRNAs and their preparation are described in detail in U.S. application. Ser. No. 08/886,829 (filed Jul. 1, 1997), Ser. No. 09/108,673 (filed Jul. 1, 1998), Ser. No. 09/256,515 (tiled Feb. 23, 1999), Ser. No. 09/082,624 Oiled May 21, 1998) and Ser. No. 09/315,298 (filed May 20, 1999), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containing formulations. These compositions may be generated from a variety of components that include, but are not limited to, preformed liquids, self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying, semisolids.

The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

The compositions of the present invention may be formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

In one embodiment of the present invention the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated and used as foams. Pharmaceutical foams include formulations such as, but not limited to, emulsions, microemulsions, creams, jellies and liposomes. While basically similar in nature these formulations vary in the components and the consistency of the final product. The preparation of such compositions and formulations is generally known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical and formulation arts and may be applied to the formulation of the compositions of the present invention.

Emulsions

The compositions of the present invention may be prepared and formulated as emulsions. Emulsions are typically heterogenous systems of one liquid dispersed in another in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1 .mu.m in diameter (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Volume 1, p. 245; Block in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 2, p. 335; Higuchi al., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 301). Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising two immiscible liquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other. In general, emulsions may be of either the water-in-oil (w/o) or the oil-in-water (o/w) variety. When an aqueous phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk oily phase, the resulting composition is called a water-in-oil. (w/o) emulsion. Alternatively, when an oily phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk aqueous phase, the resulting composition is called an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. Emulsions may contain additional components in addition to the dispersed phases, and the active drug which may be present as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or itself as a separate phase. Pharmaceutical excipients such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, dyes, and anti-oxidants may also be present in emulsions as needed. Pharmaceutical emulsions may also be multiple emulsions that are comprised of more than two phases such as, for example, in the case of oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions. Such complex formulations often provide certain advantages that simple binary emulsions do not. Multiple emulsions in which individual oil droplets of an o/w emulsion enclose small water droplets constitute a w/o/w emulsion. Likewise a system of oil droplets enclosed in globules of water stabilized in an oily continuous phase provides moo/w/o emulsion.

Emulsions are characterized by little or no thermodynamic stability. Often, the dispersed or discontinuous phase of the emulsion is well dispersed into the external or continuous phase and maintained in this form through the means of emulsifiers or the viscosity of the formulation. Either of the phases of the emulsion may be a semisolid or a solid, as is the case of emulsion-style ointment bases and creams. Other means of stabilizing emulsions entail the use of emulsifiers that may be incorporated into either phase of the emulsion. Emulsifiers may broadly be classified into four categories: synthetic surfactants, naturally occurring emulsifiers, absorption bases, and finely dispersed solids (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p, 199).

Synthetic surfactants, also known as surface active agents, have found wide applicability in the formulation of emulsions and have been reviewed in the literature (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, volume 1, p. 199). Surfactants are typically amphiphilic and comprise a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic portion. The ratio of the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic nature of the surfactant has been termed the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) and is a valuable tool in categorizing and selecting surfactants in the preparation of formulations. Surfactants may be classified into different classes based on the nature of the hydrophilic group: nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285).

Naturally occurring emulsifiers used in emulsion formulations include lanolin, beeswax, phosphatides, lecithin and acacia. Absorption bases possess hydrophilic properties such that they can soak up water to form w/o emulsions yet retain their semisolid consistencies, such as anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Finely divided solids have also been used as good emulsifiers especially in combination with surfactants and in viscous preparations. These include polar inorganic solids, such as heavy metal hydroxides, nonswelling clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, hectorite, kaolin, montmorillonite, colloidal aluminum silicate and colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, pigments and nonpolar solids such as carbon or glyceryl tristearate.

A large variety of non-emulsifying materials are also included in emulsion formulations and contribute to the properties of emulsions. These include fats, oils, waxes, fatty acids, tatty alcohols, fatty esters, humectants, hydrophilic colloids, preservatives and antioxidants (Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Hydrophilic colloids or hydrocolloids include naturally occurring gums and synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (for example, acacia, agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, guar gum, karaya gum, and tragacanth), cellulose derivatives (for example, carboxymethylcellulose and carboxypropylcellulose), and synthetic polymers (for example, carbomers, cellulose ethers, and carboxyvinyl polymers). These disperse or swell in water to form colloidal solutions that stabilize emulsions by forming strong interfacial films around the dispersed-phase droplets and by increasing the viscosity of the external phase.

Since emulsions often contain a number of ingredients such as carbohydrates, proteins, sterols and phosphatides that may readily support the growth of microbes, these formulations often incorporate preservatives. Commonly used preservatives included in emulsion formulations include methyl paraben, propyl paraben, quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium chloride, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and boric acid. Antioxidants are also commonly added to emulsion formulations to prevent deterioration of the formulation. Antioxidants used may be free radical scavengers such as tocopherols, alkyl gallates, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, or reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite, and antioxidant synergists such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and lecithin.

The application of emulsion formulations via dermato logical, oral and parenteral routes and methods for their manufacture have been reviewed in the literature (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Emulsion formulations for oral delivery have been very widely used because of ease of formulation, as well as efficacy from an absorption and bioavailability standpoint (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199), Mineral-oil base laxatives, oil-soluble vitamins and high fat nutritive preparations are among the materials that have commonly been administered orally as 0/w emulsions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions of dsRNAs and nucleic acids are formulated as microemulsions. A microemulsion may be defined as a system of water, oil and amphiphile which is a single optically isotropic and thermodynamically stable liquid solution (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Typically microemulsions are systems that are prepared by first dispersing an oil in an aqueous surfactant solution and then adding a sufficient amount of a fourth component, generally an intermediate chain-length alcohol to form a transparent system. Therefore, microemulsions have also been described as thermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of two immiscible liquids that are stabilized by interfacial films of surface-active molecules (Leung and Shah, in: Controlled Release of Drugs: Polymers an Aggregate Systems, Rosoff, M., Ed., 1989, VCH Publishers, New York, pages 185-215). Microemulsions commonly are prepared via a combination of three to five components that include oil, water, surfactant, cosurfactant and electrolyte. Whether the microemulsion is of the water-in-oil (w/o) or an oil-in-water (o/w) type is dependent on the properties of the oil and surfactant used and on the structure and geometric packing of the polar heads and hydrocarbon tails of the surfactant molecules (Schott, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 271).

The phenomenological approach utilizing phase diagrams has been extensively studied and has yielded a comprehensive knowledge, to one skilled in the art, of how to formulate microemulsions (Rosoff in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335). Compared to conventional emulsions, microemulsions offer the advantage of solubilizing, water-insoluble drugs in a formulation of thermodynamically stable droplets that are formed spontaneously.

Surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions include, but are not limited to, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, Brij 96, polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, tetraglycerol monolaurate (ML310), tetraglycerol monooleate (MO310), hexaglycerol monooleate (PO310), hexaglycerol pentaoleate (PO500), decaglycerol monocaprate (MCA750), decaglycerol monooleate (MO750), decaglycerol sequioleate (SO750), decaglycerol decaoleate (DAO750), alone or in combination with cosurfactants. The cosurfactant, usually a short-chain alcohol such as ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol, serves to increase the interfacial fluidity by penetrating into the surfactant film and consequently creating a disordered film because of the void space generated among surfactant molecules. Microemulsions may, however, be prepared without the use of cosurfactants and alcohol-free self-emulsifying microemulsion systems are known in the art. The aqueous phase may typically be, but is not limited to, water, an aqueous solution of the drug, glycerol, PEG300, PEG400, polyglycerols, propylene glycols, and derivatives of ethylene glycol. The oil phase may include, but is not limited to, materials such as Captex 300, Captex 355, Capmul MCM, fatty acid esters, medium chain (C8-C12) mono, di, and tri-glycerides, polyoxyethylated glyceryl fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, polyglycolized glycerides, saturated polyglycolized C8-C10 glycerides, vegetable oils and silicone oil.

Microemulsions are particularly of interest from the standpoint of drug solubilization and the enhanced absorption of drugs. Lipid based microemulsions (both o/w and w/o) have been proposed to enhance the oral bioavailability of drugs, including peptides Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385-1390; Ritschel, Meth. Find. Exp. Pharmacol., 1993, 13, 205). Microemulsions afford advantages of improved drug solubilization, protection of drug from enzymatic hydrolysis, possible enhancement of drug absorption due to surfactant-induced alterations in membrane fluidity and permeability, ease of preparation, ease of oral administration over solid dosage forms, improved clinical potency, and decreased toxicity (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385; Ho et al., Pharm. Sci., 1996, 85, 138-143). Often microemulsions may form spontaneously when their components are brought together at ambient temperature. This may be particularly advantageous when formulating thermolabile drugs, peptides or dsRNAs. Microemulsions have also been effective in the transdermal delivery of active components in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. It is expected that the microemulsion compositions and formulations of the present invention will facilitate the increased systemic absorption of dsRNAs and nucleic acids from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the local cellular uptake of dsRNAs and nucleic acids within the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, buccal cavity and other areas of administration.

Microemulsions of the present invention may also contain additional components and additives such as sorbitan monostearate (Grill 3), Labrasol, and penetration enhancers to improve the properties of the formulation and to enhance the absorption of the dsRNAs and nucleic acids of the present invention. Penetration enhancers used in the microemulsions of the present invention may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories—surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating, non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of these classes has been discussed above.

Liposomes

There are many organized surfactant structures besides microemulsions that have been studied and used for the formulation of drugs. These include monolayers, micelles, bilayers and vesicles. Vesicles, such as liposomes, have attracted great interest because of their specificity and the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drug delivery. As used in the present invention, the term “liposome” means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers.

Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior. The aqueous portion contains the composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes possess the advantage of being able to fuse to the cell wall, Non-cationic liposomes, although not able to fuse as efficiently with the cell wall, are taken up by macrophages in vivo.

In order to cross intact mammalian skin, lipid vesicles must pass through a series of fine pores, each with a diameter less than 50 nm, under the influence of a suitable transdermal gradient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a liposome which is highly deformable and able to pass through such fine pores.

Further advantages of liposomes include; liposomes obtained from natural phospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; liposomes can incorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; liposomes can protect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments from metabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in the preparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge, vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes.

Liposomes are useful for the transfer and delivery of active ingredients to the site of action. Because the liposomal membrane is structurally similar to biological membranes, when liposomes are applied to a tissue, the liposomes start to merge with the cellular membranes and as the merging of the liposome and cell progresses, the liposomal contents are emptied into the cell where the active agent may act.

Liposomal formulations have been the focus of extensive investigation as the mode of delivery for many drugs. There is growing evidence that for topical administration, liposomes present several advantages over other formulations. Such advantages include reduced side-effects related to high systemic absorption of the administered drug, increased accumulation of the administered drug at the desired target, and the ability to administer a wide variety of drugs, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, into the skin.

Several reports have detailed the ability of liposomes to deliver agents including high-molecular weight DNA into the skin. Compounds including analgesics, antibodies, hormones and high-molecular weight DNAs have been administered to the skin. The majority of applications resulted in the targeting of the upper epidermis

Liposomes fall into two broad classes. Cationic liposomes are positively charged liposomes which interact with the negatively charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex. The positively charged DNA/liposome complex binds to the negatively charged cell surface and is internalized in an endosome. Due to the acidic pH within the endosome, the liposomes are ruptured, releasing their contents into the cell cytoplasm (Wang et al., Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun., 1987, 147, 980-985).

Liposomes which are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged, entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Since both the DNA and the lipid are similarly charged, repulsion rather than complex formation occurs. Nevertheless, some DNA is entrapped within the aqueous interior of these liposomes. pH-sensitive liposomes have been used to deliver DNA encoding the thymidine kinase gene to cell monolayers in culture. Expression of the exogenous gene was detected in the target cells (Zhou et al., Journal of Controlled Release, 1992, 19, 269-274).

One major type of liposomal composition includes phospholipids other than naturally-derived phosphatidylcholine, Neutral liposome compositions, for example, can be termed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Anionic liposome compositions generally are formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, while anionic fusogenic liposomes are formed primarily from dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Another type of liposomal composition is formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) such as, for example, soybean PC, and egg PC. Another type is formed from mixtures of phospholipid and/or phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol.

Several studies have assessed the topical delivery of liposomal drug formulations to the skin. Application of liposomes containing interferon to guinea pig skin resulted in a reduction of skin herpes sores while delivery of interferon via other means (e.g. as a solution or as an emulsion) were ineffective (Weiner et al., Journal of Drug Targeting, 1992, 2, 405-410). Further, an additional study tested the efficacy of interferon administered as part of a liposomal formulation to the administration of interferon using an aqueous system, and concluded that the liposomal formulation was superior to aqueous administration (du Plessis et al., Antiviral Research, 1992, 18, 259-765).

Non-ionic liposomal systems have also been examined to determine their utility in the delivery of drugs to the skin, in particular systems comprising non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Non-ionic liposomal formulations comprising Novasome™ I (glyceryl dilaurate/cholesterol/po-lyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) and Novasome™ II (glyceryl distearate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) were used to deliver cyclosporin-A into the dermis of mouse skin. Results indicated that such non-ionic liposomal systems were effective in facilitating the deposition of cyclosporin-A into different layers of the skin (Hu et al. S.T.P.Pharma. Sci., 1994, 4, 6, 466).

Liposomes also include “sterically stabilized” liposomes, a term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhanced circulation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specialized lipids. Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in which part of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome (A) comprises one or more glycolipids, such as monosialoganglioside G.sub.M1, or (B) is derivatized with one Or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is thought in the art that, at least for sterically stabilized liposomes containing gangliosides, sphingomyelin, or PEG-derivatized lipids, the enhanced circulation half-life of these sterically stabilized liposomes derives from a reduced uptake into cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (Allen et al., FEBS Letters, 1987, 223, 42; Wu et al., Cancer Research, 1993, 53, 3765).

Various liposomes comprising one or more glycolipids are known in the art. Papahadjopoulos et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 507, 64) reported the ability of monosialoganglioside G.sub.M1, galactocerebroside sulfate and phosphatidylinositol to improve blood half-lives of liposomes. These findings were expounded upon by Gabizon et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1988, 85, 6949), U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028 and WO 88/04924, both to Allen et al., disclose liposomes comprising (1) sphingomyelin and (2) the ganglioside G.sub.M1 or a galactocerebroside sulfate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,152 (Webb et al.) discloses liposomes comprising sphingomyelin. Liposomes comprising 1,2-sn-dimyristoylphosphat-idylcholine are disclosed in WO 97/13499 (Lim et al).

Many liposomes comprising lipids derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, and methods of preparation thereof, are known in the art. Sunamoto et al. (Bull, Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 2778) described liposomes comprising a nonionic detergent, 2C.sub.1215G, that contains a PEG moiety. Illum et al. (FEBS Lett., 1984, 167, 79) noted that hydrophilic coating of polystyrene particles with polymeric glycols results in significantly enhanced blood half-lives. Synthetic phospholipids modified by the attachment of carboxylic groups of polyalkylene glycols (e.g., PEG) are described by Sears (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,330 and 4,534,899). Klibanov et al. (FEBS Lett., 1990, 268, 235) described experiments demonstrating that liposomes comprising phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatized with PEG or PEG stearate have significant increases in blood circulation half-lives. Blume et al. (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1990, 1029, 91) extended such observations to other PEG-derivatized phospholipids, e.g., DSPE-PEG, formed from the combination of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) and PEG. Liposomes having covalently bound PEG moieties on their external surface are described in European Patent No. EP 0 445 131 B1 and WO 90/04384 to Fisher. Liposome compositions containing 1-20 mole percent of PE derivatized with PEG, and methods of use thereof, are described by Woodle et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,556 and 5,356,633) and Martin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,804 and European Patent No. EP 0 496 813 B1). Liposomes comprising a number of other lipid-polymer conjugates are disclosed in WO 91/05545 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,212 (both to Martin et al.) and in WO 94/20073 (Zalipsky et al.) Liposomes comprising PEG-modified ceramide lipids are described in WO 96/10391 (Chin et al). U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,935 (Miyazaki et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,948 (Tagawa et al.) describe PEG-containing liposomes that can be further derivatized with functional moieties on their surfaces.

A limited number of liposomes comprising nucleic acids are known in the art. WO 96/40062 to Thierry et al. discloses methods for encapsulating high molecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,221 to Tagawa et al. discloses protein-bonded liposomes and asserts that the contents of such liposomes may include an dsRNA RNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710 to Rahman et al. describes certain methods of encapsulating oligodeoxynucleotides in liposomes. WO 97/04787 to Love et al. discloses liposomes comprising dsRNA dsRNAs targeted to the raf gene.

Transfersomes are yet another type of liposomes, and are highly deformable lipid aggregates which are attractive candidates for drug delivery vehicles. Transfersomes may be described as lipid droplets which are so highly deformable that they are easily able to penetrate through pores which are smaller than the droplet. Transfersomes are adaptable to the environment in which they are used, e.g. they are self-optimizing (adaptive to the shape of pores in the skin), self-repairing, frequently reach their targets without fragmenting, and often self-loading. To make transfersomes it is possible to add surface edge-activators, usually surfactants, to a standard liposomal composition. Transfersomes have been used to deliver serum albumin to the skin. The transfersome-mediated delivery of serum albumin has been shown to be as effective as subcutaneous injection of a solution containing serum albumin.

Surfactants find wide application in formulations such as emulsions (including microemulsions) and liposomes. The most common way of classifying and ranking the properties of the many different types of surfactants, both natural and synthetic, is by the use of the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB). The nature of the hydrophilic group (also known as the “head”) provides the most useful means for categorizing the different surfactants used in formulations (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

If the surfactant molecule is not ionized, it is classified as a nonionic surfactant Nonionic surfactants find wide application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and are usable over a wide range of pH values. In general their HLB values range from 2 to about 18 depending on their structure. Nonionic surfactants include nonionic esters such as ethylene glycol esters, propylene glycol esters, glyceryl esters, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters, sucrose esters, and ethoxylated esters. Nonionic alkanolamides and ethers such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, propoxylated alcohols, and ethoxylated/propoxylated block polymers are also included in this class. The polyoxyethylene surfactants are the most popular members of the nonionic surfactant class.

If the surfactant molecule carries a negative charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as anionic. Anionic surfactants include carboxylates such as soaps, acyl lactylates, acyl amides of amino acids, esters of sulfuric acid such as alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonates, acyl isethionates, acyl taurates and sulfosuccinates, and phosphates. The most important members of the anionic surfactant class are the alkyl sulfates and the soaps.

If the surfactant molecule carries a positive charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as cationic. Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts and ethoxylated amines. The quaternary ammonium salts are the most used members of this class.

If the surfactant molecule has the ability to carry either a positive or negative charge, the surfactant is classified as amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants include acrylic acid derivatives, substituted alkylamides, N-alkylbetaines and phosphatides.

The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions has been reviewed (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

Penetration Enhancers

In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetration enhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids, particularly dsRNAs, to the skin of animals. Most drugs are present in solution in both ionized and nonionized forms. However, usually only lipid soluble or lipophilic drugs readily cross cell membranes. It has been discovered that even non-lipophilic drugs may cross cell membranes if the membrane to be crossed is treated with a penetration enhancer. In addition to aiding the diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes, penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability of lipophilic drugs.

Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories, i.e., surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of the above mentioned classes of penetration enhancers are described below in greater detail.

Surfactants: In connection with the present invention, surfactants (or “surface-active agents”) are chemical entities which, when dissolved in an aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of the solution or the interfacial tension between the aqueous solution and another liquid, with the result that absorption of dsRNAs through the mucosa is enhanced. In addition to bile salts and fatty acids, these penetration enhancers include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92); and perfluorochemical emulsions, such as FC-43. Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1988, 40, 252).

Fatty acids: Various fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetration enhancers include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid (n-decanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein (1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid, glycerol 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines, acylcholines, C.sub.1-10 alkyl esters thereof (e.g., methyl, isopropyl and t-butyl), and mono- and di-glycerides thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; El Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1992, 44, 651-654).

Bile salts: The physiological role of bile includes the facilitation of dispersion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (Brunton, Chapter 38 in: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al. Eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, pp. 934-935). Various natural bile salts, and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus the term “bile salts” includes any of the naturally occurring components of bile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives. The bile salts of the invention include, for example, cholic acid (or its pharmaceutically acceptable sodium salt, sodium cholate), dehydrocholic acid (sodium dehydrocholate), deoxycholic acid (sodium deoxycholate), glucholic acid (sodium glucholate), glycholic acid (sodium glycocholate), glycodeoxycholic acid (sodium glycodeoxycholate), taurocholic acid (sodium taurocholate), taurodeoxycholic acid (sodium taurodeoxycholate), chenodeoxycholic acid (sodium chenodeoxycholate), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate (STDHF), sodium glycodihydrofusidate and polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (POE) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Swinyard, Chapter 39 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 782-783 Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Yamamoto et al., J. Pharm. Exp. Then, 1992, 263, 25; Yamashita et al., J, Pharm. Sci., 1990, 79, 579-583).

Chelating Agents: Chelating agents, as used in connection with the present invention, can be defined as compounds that remove metallic ions from solution by forming complexes therewith, with the result that absorption of dsRNAs through the mucosa is enhanced. With regards to their use as penetration enhancers in the present invention, chelating agents have the added advantage of also serving as RNase inhibitors, as most characterized DNA nucleases require a divalent metal ion for catalysis and are thus inhibited by chelating agents (Jarrett, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 618, 315-339). Chelating agents of the invention include but are not limited to disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates (e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acyl derivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives of beta-diketones (enamines)(Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Buur et al., J. Control Rel., 1990, 14, 43-51).

Non-chelating non-surfactants: As used herein, non-chelating non-surfactant penetration enhancing compounds can be defined as compounds that demonstrate insignificant activity as chelating agents or as surfactants but that nonetheless enhance absorption of dsRNAs through the alimentary mucosa (Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33). This class of penetration enhancers include, for example, unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanone derivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1987, 39, 621-626).

Agents that enhance uptake of dsRNAs at the cellular level may also be added to the pharmaceutical and other compositions of the present invention. For example, cationic lipids, such as lipofectin (Junichi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,188), cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules, such as polylysine (Lollo et al., PCT Application WO 97/30731), are also known to enhance the cellular uptake of dsRNAs.

Other agents may be utilized to enhance the penetration of the administered nucleic acids, including glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, pyrrols such as 2-pyrrol, azones, and terpenes such as limonene and menthone.

Carriers

Certain compositions of the present invention also incorporate carrier compounds in the formulation. As used herein, “carrier compound” or “carrier” can refer to a nucleic acid, or analog thereof which is inert (i.e., does not possess biological activity per se) but is recognized as a nucleic acid by in vivo processes that reduce the bioavailability of a nucleic acid biological activity by, for example, degrading the biologically active nucleic acid or promoting its removal from circulation. The coadministration of a nucleic acid and a carrier compound, typically with an excess of the latter substance, can result in a substantial reduction of the amount of nucleic acid recovered in the liver, kidney or other extracirculatory reservoirs, presumably due to competition between the carrier compound and the nucleic acid for a common receptor. For example, the recovery of a partially phosphorothioate dsRNA in hepatic tissue can be reduced when it is coadministered with polyinosinic acid, dextran sulfate, polycytidic acid or 4-acetamido-4′ isothiocyano-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (Miyao et al., DsRNA Res. Dev., 1995, 5, 115-121; Takakura et al., DsRNA & Nucl. Acid Drug Dev., 1996, 6, 177-183.

Excipients

In con buy to a carrier compound, a “pharmaceutical carrier” or “excipient” is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutical carriers include, but are not limited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calcium hydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrants (e.g., starch, sodium starch glycolate, etc.); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate, etc).

Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipient suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can also be used to formulate the compositions of the present invention. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohols, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

Formulations for topical administration of nucleic acids may include sterile and non-sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions in common solvents such as alcohols, or solutions of the nucleic acids in liquid or solid oil bases. The solutions may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipients suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can be used.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohol, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

Other Components

The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously interact with the nucleic acid(s) of the formulation.

Aqueous suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing (a) one or more antisense compounds and (b) one or more other chemotherapeutic agents which function by a non-antisense mechanism. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include but are not limited to daunorubicin, daunomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, esorubicin, bleomycin, mafosfamide, ifosfamide, cytosine arabinoside, bis-chloroethylnitrosurea, busulfan, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, mithramycin, prednisone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, tamoxifen, dacarbazine, procarbazine, hexamethylmelamine, pentamethylmelamine, mitoxantrone, amsacrine, chlorambucil, methylcyclohexylnitrosurea, nitrogen mustards, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, deoxycoformycin, 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphor-amide, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MIX), colchicine, taxol, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide (VP-16), trimetrexate, irinotecan, topotecan, gemcitabine, teniposide, cisplatin and diethylstilbestrol (DES). See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed. 1987, pp. 1206-1228, Barkow et al., eds., Rahway, N.J. When used with the compounds of the invention, such chemotherapeutic agents may be used individually (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide), sequentially (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide for a period of time followed by MTX and oligonucleotide), or in combination with one or more other such chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., 5-FU, MIX and oligonucleotide, or 5-FU, radiotherapy and oligonucleotide), Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be combined in compositions of the invention. See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed., Berkow et al., eds., 1987, Rahway, N.J., pages 2499-2506 and 46-49, respectively). Other non-antisense chemotherapeutic agents are also within the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Compounds which exhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred.

The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulation a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of compositions of the invention lies generally within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range of the compound or, when appropriate, of the polypeptide product of a target sequence (e.g., achieving a decreased concentration of the polypeptide) that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

In addition to their administration individually or as a plurality, as discussed above, the dsRNAs of the invention can be administered in combination with other known agents effective in treatment of pathological processes mediated by IKK-B expression. In any event, the administering physician can adjust the amount and timing of dsRNA administration on the basis of results observed using standard measures of efficacy known in the art or described herein.

Methods for Treating Diseases Caused by Expression of the IKK-B Gene

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating a subject having a pathological condition mediated by the expression of the IKK-B gene, such as inflammation. In this embodiment, the dsRNA acts as a therapeutic agent for controlling the expression of the IKK-B protein. The method comprises administering a pharmaceutical composition of the invention to the patient (e.g., human), such that expression of the IKK-B gene is silenced. Because of their high specificity, the dsRNAs of the invention specifically target mRNAs of the IKK-B gene.

As used herein, the term “IRK-mediated condition or disease” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, IKK activity. Inappropriate IKK functional activity might arise as the result of IKK expression in cells which normally do not express IKK, increased IKK expression and/or activity (leading to, e.g., inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders and diseases) or decreased IKK expression and/or activity, An IKK-mediated condition or disease may be completely or partially mediated by inappropriate IKK functional activity which may result by way of inappropriate activation of IKK. Regardless, an IKK-mediated condition or disease is one in which modulation of IKK via RNA interference results in some effect on the underlying condition or disorder (e.g., an IKK inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

The anti-inflammatory compounds of the present invention may be used to modulate inflammation and treat or diagnose an inflammatory disorder in a subject. The methods include administering to a subject an anti-inflammatory compound of the invention in an amount effective to treat an inflammatory disorder.

As used herein, an “inflammatory disorder” is intented to include a disease or disorder characterized by, caused by, resulting from, or becoming affected by inflammation. An inflammatory disorder may be caused by or be associated with biological and pathological processes associated with IKK-β function and activity and/or with NF-.kappa.B mediated processes. Examples of inflammatory diseases or disorders include, but not limited to, acute and chronic inflammation disorders such as asthma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), sepsis, vasculitis, and bursitis; autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Polymyalgia, Rheumatica, Scleroderma, Wegener's granulomatosis, temporal arteritis, cryoglobulinemia, and multiple sclerosis; transplant rejection; osteoporosis; cancer, including solid tumors (e.g., lung, CNS, colon, kidney, and pancreas); Alzheimer's disease; atherosclerosis; viral (e.g., HIV or influenza) infections; chronic viral (e.g., Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) infection; and ataxia telangiectasia.

Pathological processes refer to a category of biological processes which produce a deleterious effect. For example, unregulated expression of NF-.kappa.B is associated with pro-inflammatory processes underlying certain pathological processes. As used herein, an anti-inflammatory compound is said to modulate a pathological process when the compound reduces the degree or severity of the process. For instance, pro-inflammatory responses may be prevented or pathological processes modulated by the administration of anti-inflammatory compounds which reduce, promote or modulate in some way the expression or at least one activity IKK-β

The anti-inflammatory compounds of the present invention may, therefore, be used to treat diseases with an NF-.kappa.B inflammatory component. Such diseases include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, asthma (Ray & Cohn, (1999) J. Clin. Invest. 104, 985-993; Christman et al., (2000) Chest 117, 1482-1487) and Alzheimer's disease. For a review of diseases with an NF-.kappa.B inflammatory component, see Epstein, (1997) New Eng. J. Med. 336, 1066-1071; Lee et al., (1998) J. Clin. Pharmacol, 38, 981-993; Brand et al., (1997) Exp. Physiol, 82, 297-304.

Pathological processes associated with a pro-inflammatory response in which the anti-inflammatory compounds of the invention would be useful for treatment include, but are not limited to, asthma, allergies such as allergic rhinitis, uticaria, anaphylaxis, drug sensitivity, food sensitivity and the like; cutaneous inflammation such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, sunburn, aging, and the like; arthritis such as osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, spondylarthritis and the like. Anti-inflammatory compounds are also useful for treating chronic obstruction pulmonary disease and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The anti-inflammatory compounds of the present invention may further be used to replace corticosteroids in any application in which corticosteroids are used including immunosuppression in transplants and cancer therapy. The invention thus provides the use of an anti-IKK-B dsRNA administered to a human, particularly by intravenous administration, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

The pharmaceutical compositions encompassed by the invention may be administered by any means known in the art including, but not limited to oral or parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intravitreal, transdermal, airway (aerosol), nasal, rectal, vaginal and topical (including buccal and sublingual) administration, and epidural administration. In preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are administered intraveneously by infusion or injection.

Methods for Inhibiting Expression of the IKK-B Gene

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for inhibiting the expression of the IKK-B gene in a mammal. The method comprises administering a composition of the invention to the mammal such that expression of the target IKK-B gene is silenced. Because of their high specificity, the dsRNAs of the invention specifically target RNAs (primary or processed) of the target IKK-B gene. Compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of these IKK-B genes using dsRNAs can be perk as described elsewhere herein.

In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a composition comprising a dsRNA, wherein the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least a part of an RNA transcript of the IKK-B gene of the mammal to be treated. When the organism to be treated is a mammal such as a human, the composition may be administered by any means known in the art including, but not limited to oral or parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intracranial, subcutaneous, intravitreal, transdermal, airway (aerosol), nasal, rectal, vaginal and topical (including buccal and sublingual) administration. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are administered by intravenous infusion or injection.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

EXAMPLES

Gene Walking of the IKK-B Gene

siRNAs were identified in a multi step sequence analysis process in order to design siRNAs targeting the IKK-B gene. The selected siRNAs are provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1  Sense and anti-sense strand of 12 different IKK2 siRNA. Combination of one sense strand (eg. AL7282, SEQ ID No. 1) with its complementary antisense strand (eg. AL7283, SEQ ID No. 2) results in formation of a perfectly base-paired 19 nt duplex with 2 base pair overhangs (eg. AL-DP-4613). Phosphorothioate modifications are denoted by underlining Sense strand Anti-sense strand SEQ SEQ Duplex ID ID identi- Name sequence (5′-3′) NO: Name sequence (5′-3′) NO: fier AL7282 ccccaauaaucuuaacaguTT 1 AL7283 acuguuaagauuauuggggTT 2 AL-DP- 7282 AL7284 augguacggcugcugcuucTT 3 AL7285 gaagcagcagccguaccauTT 4 AL-DP- 7284 AL7286 cccaauaaucuuaacagugTT 5 AL7287 cacuguuaagauuauugggTT 6 AL-DP- 7286 AL7288 ugcagcagggacagcgagcTT 7 AL7289 gcucgcugucccugcugcaTT 8 AL-DP- 7288 AL7290 uuucucuuugacaacaguaTT 9 AL7291 uacuguugucaaagagaaaTT 10 AL-DP- 7290 AL7292 ucucuuugacaacaguaaaTT 11 AL7293 uuuacuguugucaaagagaTT 12 AL-DP- 7292 AL7294 gacuacuggagcuucggcaTT 13 AL7295 ugccgaagcuccaguagucTT 14 AL-DP- 7294 AL7296 aaggagcuggaucagggcaTT 15 AL7297 ugcccugauccagcuccuuTT 16 AL-DP- 7296 AL7298 aggagcuggaucagggcagTT 17 AL7299 cugcccugauccagcuccuTT 18 AL-DP- 7298 AL7300 uacuggagcuucggcacccTT 19 AL7301 gggugccgaagcuccaguaTT 20 AL-DP- 7300 AL7302 agugucagcuguauccuucTT 21 AL7303 gaaggauacagcugacacuTT 22 AL-DP- 7302 AL7304 ccaaggagcuggaucagggTT 23 AL7305 cccugauccagcuccuuggTT 24 AL-DP- 7304

dsRNA Synthesis

Source of Reagents

Where the source of a reagent is not specifically given herein, such reagent may be obtained from any supplier of reagents for molecular biology at a quality/purity standard for application in molecular biology.

siRNA Synthesis

Single-stranded RNAs were produced by solid phase synthesis on a scale of 1 μmole using an Expedite 8909 synthesizer (Applied Biosystems, Applera Deutschland GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany) and controlled pore glass (CPG, 500 Å, Proligo Biochemie GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) as solid support. RNA and RNA containing 2′-O-methyl nucleotides were generated by solid phase synthesis employing the corresponding phosphoramidites and 2′-O-methyl phosphoramidites, respectively (Proligo Biochemie GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). These building blocks were incorporated at selected sites within the sequence of the oligoribonucleotide chain using standard nucleoside phosphoramidite chemistry such as described in Current protocols in nucleic acid chemistry, Beaucage, S. L. et al. (Edrs.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., USA. Phosphorothioate linkages were introduced by replacement of the iodine oxidizer solution with a solution of the Beaucage reagent (Chruachem Ltd, Glasgow, UK) in acetonitrile (1%). Further ancillary reagents were obtained from Mallinckrodt Baker (Griesheim, Germany).

Deprotection and purification of the crude Oligoribonucleotides by anion exchange HPLC were carried out according to established procedures, Yields and concentrations were determined by UV absorption of a solution of the respective RNA at a wavelength of 260 nm using a spectral photometer (DU 640B, Beckman Coulter GmbH, Unterschleiβheim, Germany). Double stranded RNA was generated by mixing an equimolar solution of complementary strands in annealing buffer (20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8; 100 mM sodium chloride), heated in a water bath at 85-90° C. for 3 minutes and cooled to room temperature over a period of 3-4 hours. The annealed RNA solution was stored at ° C. until use.

For the synthesis of 3′-cholesterol-conjugated siRNAs (herein referred to as -Chol-3′), an appropriately modified solid support was used for RNA synthesis. The modified solid support was prepared as follows:

Diethyl-2-azabutane-1,4-dicarboxylate AA

A4.7 M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (50 mL) was added into a stirred, ice-cooled solution of ethyl glycinate hydrochloride (32.19 g, 0.23 mole) in water (50 mL). Then, ethyl acrylate (23.1 g, 0.23 mole) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature until completion of the reaction was ascertained by TLC. After 19 h the solution was partitioned with dichloromethane (3×100 mL). The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was distilled to afford AA (28.8 g, 61%).

3-{Ethoxycarbonylmethyl-[6-(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl-amino)-hexanoyl]-amino}-propionic acid ethyl ester AB

Fmoc-6-amino-hexanoic acid (9.12 g, 25.83 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (50 mL) and cooled with ice. Diisopropylcarbodiimide (3.25 g, 3.99 mL, 25.83 mmol) was added to the solution at 0° C. It was then followed by the addition of Diethyl-azabutane-1,4-dicarboxylate (5 g, 24.6 mmol) and dimethylamino pyridine (0.305 g, 2.5 mmol). The solution was brought to room temperature and stirred further for 6 h. Completion of the reaction was ascertained by TLC. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and ethyl acetate was added to precipitate diisopropyl urea. The suspension was filtered. The filtrate was washed with 5% aqueous hydrochloric acid, 5% sodium bicarbonate and water. The combined organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give the crude product which was purified by column chromatography (50% EtOAC/Hexanes) to yield 11.87 g (88%) of AB.

3-[(6-Amino-hexanoyl)-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino]-propionic acid ethyl ester AC

3-{Ethoxycarbonylmethyl-[6-(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonylamino)-hexanoyl]-amino}-propionic acid ethyl ester AB (11.5 g, 21.3 mmol) was dissolved in 20% piperidine in dimethylformamide at 0° C. The solution was continued stirring for 1 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum, water was added to the residue, and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The crude product was purified by conversion into its hydrochloride salt.

3-({6-[17-(1,5-Dimethyl-hexyl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yloxycarbonylamino]-hexanoyl}ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino)-propionic acid ethyl ester AD

The hydrochloride salt of 3-[(6-Amino-hexanoyl)-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino]-propionic acid ethyl ester AC (4.7 g, 14.8 mmol) was taken up in dichloromethane. The suspension was cooled to 0° C. on ice. To the suspension diisopropylethylamine (3.87 g, 5.2 mL, 30 mmol) was added. To the resulting solution cholesteryl chloroformate (6,675 g, 14.8 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed with 10% hydrochloric acid. The product was purified by flash chromatography (10.3 g, 92%).

1-{6-[17-(1,5-Dimethyl-hexyl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yloxycarbortylamino]-hexanoyl}-4-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester AE

Potassium t-butoxide (1.1 g, 9.8 mmol) was slurried in 30 mL of dry toluene. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. on ice and 5 g (6.6 mmol) of diester AD was added slowly with stirring within 20 mins. The temperature was kept below 5° C. during the addition. The stirring was continued for 30 mins at 0° C. and 1 mL of glacial acetic acid was added, immediately followed by 4 g of NaH₂PO₄.H₂O in 40 mL of water The resultant mixture was extracted twice with 100 mL of dichloromethane each and the combined organic extracts were washed twice with 10 mL of phosphate buffer each, dried, and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in 60 mL of toluene, cooled to 0° C. and extracted with three 50 mL portions of cold pH 9.5 carbonate buffer. The aqueous extracts were adjusted to pH 3 with phosphoric acid, and extracted with five 40 mL portions of chloroform which were combined, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography using 25% ethylacetate/hexane to afford 1.9 g of b-ketoester (39%).

[6-(3-Hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-6-oxo-hexyl]-carbamic acid 17-(1,5-dimethyl-hexyl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl ester AF

Methanol (2 mL) was added dropwise over a period of 1 h to a refluxing mixture of b-ketoester AE (1.5 g, 2.2 mmol) and sodium borohydride (0.226 g, 6 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL). Stirring was continued at reflux temperature for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, 1 N HCl (12.5 mL) was added, the mixture was extracted with ethylacetate (3×40 mL). The combined ethylacetate layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to yield the product which was purified by column chromatography (10% MeOH/CHCl₃) (89%).

(6-{3-[Bis-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-phenyl-methoxymethyl]-4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl}-6-oxo-hexyl)-carbamic acid 17-(1,5-dimethyl-hexyl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl ester AG

Diol AF (1.25 gm 1.994 mmol) was dried by evaporating with pyridine (2×5 mL) in vacuo. Anhydrous pyridine (10 mL) and 4,4′-dimethoxytritylchloride (0.724 g, 2.13 mmol) were added with stirring. The reaction was carried out at room temperature overnight. The reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and to the residue dichloromethane (50 mL) was added. The organic layer was washed with 1M aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residual pyridine was removed by evaporating with toluene. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (2% MeOH/Chloroform, Rf=0.5 in 5% MeOH/CHCl₃) (1.75 g, 95%).

Succinic acid mono-(4-[bis-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-phenyl-methoxymethyl]-1-{6-[17-(1,5-dimethyl-hexyl)-10,13-dimethyl 2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yloxycarbonylamino]-hexanoyl}-pyrrolidin-3-yl) ester AH

Compound AG (1.0 g, 1.05 mmol) was mixed with succinic anhydride (0.150 g, 1.5 mmol) and DMAP (0.073 g, 0.6 mmol) and dried in a vacuum at 40° C. overnight. The mixture was dissolved in anhydrous dichloroethane (3 mL), triethylamine (0.318 g, 0.440 ml, 3.15 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at room temperature under argon atmosphere for 16 h. It was then diluted with dichloromethane (40 mL) and washed with ice cold aqueous citric acid (5 wt %, 30 mL) and water (2×20 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. The residue was used as such for the next step.

Cholesterol Derivatised CPG AI

Succinate AH (0.254 g, 0.242 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane/acetonitrile (3:2, 3 mL). To that solution DMAP (0.0296 g, 0.242 mmol) in acetonitrile (1.25 mL), 2,2′-Dithio-bis(5-nitropyridine) (0.075 g, 0.242 mmol) in acetonitrile/dichloroethane (3:1, 1.25 mL) were added successively. To the resulting solution triphenylphosphine (0.064 g, 0.242 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.6 ml) was added. The reaction mixture turned bright orange in color. The solution was agitated briefly using a wrist-action shaker (5 nuns). Long chain alkyl amine-CPG (LCAA-CPG) (1.5 g, 61 ml) was added. The suspension was agitated for 2 h. The CPG was filtered through a sintered funnel and washed with acetonitrile, dichloromethane and ether successively. Unreacted amino groups were masked using acetic anhydride/pyridine. The achieved loading of the CPG was measured by taking UV measurement (37 mM/g).

The synthesis of siRNAs bearing a 5′-12-dodecanoic acid bisdecylamide group (herein referred to as “5′-C32-”) or a 5′-cholesteryl derivative group (herein referred to as “5′-Chol-”) was performed as described in WO 2004/065601, except that, for the cholesteryl derivative, the oxidation step was performed using the Beaucage reagent in order to introduce a phosphorothioate linkage at the 5′-end of the nucleic acid oligomer.

Nucleic acid sequences are represented below using standard nomenclature, and specifically the abbreviations of Table 2.

TABLE 2 Abbreviations of nucleotide monomers used in nucleic acid sequence representation. It will be understood that these monomers, when present in an oligonucleotide, are mutually linked by 5′-3′-phosphodiester bonds. Abbreviation^(a) Nucleotide(s) A, a 2′-deoxy-adenosine-5′-phosphate, adenosine-5′-phosphate C, c 2′-deoxy-cytidine-5′-phosphate, cytidine-5′-phosphate G, g 2′-deoxy-guanosine-5′-phosphate, guanosine-5′-phosphate T, t 2′-deoxy-thymidine-5′-phosphate, thymidine-5′-phosphate U, u 2′-deoxy-uridine-5′-phosphate, uridine-5′-phosphate N, n any 2′-deoxy-nucleotide/nucleotide (G, A, C, or T, g, a, c or u) Am 2′-O-methyladenosine-5′-phosphate Cm 2′-O-methylcytidine-5′-phosphate Gm 2′-O-methylguanosine-5′-phosphate Tm 2′-O-methyl-thymidine-5′-phosphate Um 2′-O-methyluridine-5′-phosphate Af 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-adenosine-5′-phosphate Cf 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-cytidine-5′-phosphate Gf 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-guanosine-5′-phosphate Tf 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-thymidine-5′-phosphate Uf 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-uridine-5′-phosphate A, C, G, T, U, underlined: nucleoside-5′-phosphorothioate a, c, g, t, u am, cm, gm, underlined: 2-O-methyl-nucleoside-5′-phosphorothioate tm, um ^(a)capital letters represent 2′-deoxyribonucleotides (DNA), lower case letters represent ribonucleotides (RNA)

dsRNA Expression Vectors

In another aspect of the invention, IKK-B specific dsRNA molecules that modulate IKK-B gene expression activity are expressed from transcription units inserted into DNA or RNA vectors (see, e.g., Couture, A, et al., TIG. (1996), 12:5-10; Skillern, A., et al., International PCT Publication No, WO 00/22113, Conrad, International PCT Publication No, WO 00/22114, and Conrad, U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,299). These transgenes can be introduced as a linear construct, a circular plasmid, or a viral vector, which can be incorporated and inherited as a transgene integrated into the host genome. The transgene can also be constructed to permit it to be inherited as an extrachromosomal plasmid (Gassmann, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1995) 92:1292).

The individual strands of a dsRNA can be transcribed by promoters on two separate expression vectors and co-transfected into a target cell. Alternatively each individual strand of the dsRNA can be transcribed by promoters both of which are located on the same expression plasmid. In a preferred embodiment, a dsRNA is expressed as an inverted repeat joined by a linker polynucleotide sequence such that the dsRNA has a stem and loop structure.

The recombinant dsRNA expression vectors are generally DNA plasmids or viral vectors. dsRNA expressing viral vectors can be constructed based on, but not limited to, adeno-associated virus (for a review, see Muzyczka, et al., Curr. Topics Micro. Immunol. (1992) 158:97-129)); adenovirus (see, for example, Berkner, et al., BioTechniques (1998) 6:616), Rosenfeld et al. (1991, Science 252:431-434), and Rosenfeld et al. (1992), Cell 68:143-455)); or alphavirus as well as others known in the art. Retroviruses have been used to introduce a variety of genes into many different cell types, including epithelial cells, in vitro and/or in vivo (see, e.g., Eglitis, et al., Science (1985) 230:1395-1398; Danos and Mulligan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1998) 85:6460-6464; Wilson et al., 1988, Proc. NatI. Acad. Sci. USA 85:3014-3018; Armentano et al., 1990, Proc. NatI. Acad., Sci, USA 87:61416145; Huber et al., 1991, Proc. NatI. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8039-8043; Ferry et al., 1991, Proc, NatI. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8377-8381; Chowdhury et al., 1991, Science 254:1802-1805; van Beusechem. et al., 1992, Proc. Nad. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7640-19; Kay et al., 1992, Human Gene Therapy 3:641-647; Dai et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10892-10895; Hwu et al., 1993, J. Immunol. 150:4104-4115; U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,116; U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,286; PCT Application WO 89/07136; PCT Application WO 89/02468; PCT Application WO 89/05345; and PCT Application WO 92/07573). Recombinant retroviral vectors capable of transducing and expressing genes inserted into the genome of a cell can be produced by transfecting the recombinant retroviral genome into suitable packaging cell lines such as PA317 and Psi-CRIP (Comette et al., 1991, Human Gene Therapy 2:5-10; Cone et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6349). Recombinant adenoviral vectors can be used to infect a wide variety of cells and tissues in susceptible hosts (e.g., rat, hamster, dog, and chimpanzee) (Hsu et al., 1992, J. Infectious Disease, 166:769), and also have the advantage of not requiring mitotically active cells for infection.

The promoter driving dsRNA expression in either a DNA plasmid or viral vector of the invention may be a eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (e.g. ribosomal RNA promoter), RNA polymerase II (e.g. CMV early promoter or actin promoter or U1 snRNA promoter) or generally RNA polymerase III promoter (e.g. U6 snRNA or 7SK RNA promoter) or a prokaryotic promoter, for example the T7 promoter, provided the expression plasmid also encodes T7 RNA polymerase required for transcription from a T7 promoter. The promoter can also direct transgene expression to the pancreas (see, e.g., the insulin regulatory sequence for pancreas (Bucchini et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:2511-2515)).

In addition, expression of the transgene can be precisely regulated, for example, by using an inducible regulatory sequence and expression systems such as a regulatory sequence that is sensitive to certain physiological regulators, e.g., circulating glucose levels, or hormones (Docherty et al., 1994, FASEB J. 8:20-24). Such inducible expression systems, suitable for the control of transgene expression in cells or in mammals include regulation by ecdysone, by estrogen, progesterone, tetracycline, chemical inducers of dimerization, and isopropyl-beta-D1-thiogalactopyranoside (EPTG). A person skilled in the art would be able to choose the appropriate regulatory/promoter sequence based on the intended use of the dsRNA transgene.

Generally, recombinant vectors capable of expressing dsRNA molecules are delivered as described below, and persist in target cells. Alternatively, viral vectors can be used that provide for transient expression of dsRNA molecules. Such vectors can be repeatedly administered as necessary. Once expressed, the dsRNAs bind to target RNA and modulate its function or expression. Delivery of dsRNA expressing vectors can be systemic, such as by intravenous or intramuscular administration, by administration to target cells ex-planted from the patient followed by reintroduction into the patient, or by any other means that allows for introduction into a desired target cell.

dsRNA expression DNA plasmids are typically transfected into target cells as a complex with cationic lipid carriers (e.g. Oligofectamine) or non-cationic lipid-based carriers (e.g. Transit-TKO™). Multiple lipid transfections for dsRNA-mediated knockdowns targeting different regions of a single IKK-B gene or multiple IKK-B genes over a period of a week or more are also contemplated by the invention. Successful introduction of the vectors of the invention into host cells can be monitored using various known methods. For example, transient transfection. can be signaled with a reporter, such as a fluorescent marker, such as Green Fluorescent Protein (GET). Stable transfection. of ex vivo cells can be ensured using markers that provide the transfected cell with resistance to specific environmental factors (e.g., antibiotics and drugs), such as hygromycin B resistance.

The IKK-B specific dsRNA molecules can also be inserted into vectors and used as gene therapy vectors for human patients. Gene therapy vectors can be delivered to a subject by, for example, intravenous injection, local administration (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,470) or by stereotactic injection (see e.g., Chen et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3054-3057). The pharmaceutical preparation of the gene therapy vector can include the gene therapy vector in an acceptable diluent, or can comprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded. Alternatively, where the complete gene delivery vector can be produced intact from recombinant cells, e.g., retroviral vectors, the pharmaceutical preparation can include one or more cells which produce the gene delivery system.

Potency of 12 siRNA Targeting IKK2 mRNA in A549 Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

Low passage A549 cells (>95) were maintained in complete DMEM (DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS, penicillin, streptomycin and amphotericin). Cells were split at regular intervals to maintain exponential growth. 24 hours prior to transfection 70 to 80% confluent cells were trypsinised, harvested by centrifugation (800 g, 5 minutes) counted and re-suspended at 2.5×10⁵ cells per ml in complete DMEM. 2 ml of the cell suspension was then added to each well of a 6 well plate, cells were then incubated overnight and the confluence checked. Immediately prior to transfection the cells were rinsed with 1 ml of OptiMEM and then over-laid with 2 ml of OptiMEM. 20 μM stocks of siRNA were stored as 20 μl aliquots at −20° C. Transfections were carried out using Oligofectamine in accordance with the protocols of Elbashir et al 2002 and Invitrogen product literature. Cells were transfected with 100, 10, 0.1 or 0.01 nM of siRNA at a fixed ratio of oligofectamine to siRNA (30 pM siRNA per μl of oligofectamine) in 2400 μl of OptiMEM per well. At 24 hours post transfection the cells were visually checked thr viability and frozen prior to being harvested for RNA using TRIreagent. The RNA was then quantified by spectrophometry and used as a template for cDNA synthesis. IKK-2 mRNA levels were determined by Taqman realtime PCR analysis of the cDNA and normalised with respect to 18S RNA levels.

Table 3 provides a summary of the results obtained. The data provided has identified five siRNAs which give a greater than 65% knockdown of IKK2 mRNA in A549 cells (AL-DP-4613, AL-DP-4617, AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624). A further four siRNAs give between 40.2% and 56.5% knockdown of IKK-2 mRNA and three siRNAs have no effect on IKK2 mRNA levels. All the knockdowns were concentration dependent further indicating that the effect is due to the siRNA. The level of IKK1, a kinase with significant sequence homology to IKK2, was checked to confirm that the specificity of the siRNAs and no significant effects on mRNA were detected. Visual checking of the cells showed that there was no obvious loss of viability with any of the siRNAs at any concentration.

TABLE 3 Percentage of IKK2 mRNA reduction achieved with 100 nM of the indicated IKK2 siRNA 24 hours following transfection into A549 pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of IKK2 mRNA in IKK2 siRNA-transfected cells is expressed as percentage relative to mock-transfected cells. Results (n = 3) are expressed as mean ± SEM. Percent inhibition siRNA at 100 nM AL-DP-4613 69 ± 3 AL-DP-4614 40 ± 5 AL-DP-4615  57 ± 11 AL-DP-4616 0 AL-DP-4617 66 ± 5 AL-DP-4618  50 ± 12 AL-DP-4619 73 ± 6 AL-DP-4620 54 ± 6 AL-DP-4621 0 AL-DP-4622 0 AL-DP-4623 72 ± 4 AL-DP-4624 68 ± 7

Three of the most potent IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623, and AL-DP-4624) were designed and synthesized containing internal 2′ O-methyl chemical modifications (Table 4), These chemically modified siRNA (AL-DP-4440, AL-DP-4441, and AL-DP-4442) and their “parent” siRNA were tested for in vitro silencing activity in variety of cells.

TABLE 4  Sense and anti-sense strand of 3 different chemically modified IKK2 siRNA. Combination of one sense strand (eg. AL3375, SEQ ID No. 25) with its complementary antisense strand (eg. AL3376, SEQ ID No. 26) results in formation of a perfectly base-paired 19 nt duplex with 2 base pair overhangs (eg. AL-DP-4440). AL-DP-4440, AL-DP- 4441, and AL-DP-4442 are 2′ O-methyl-containing versions of AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623, and AL-DP-4624, respectively. Nucleotides containing 2′ O-Methyl substitutions are denoted by a trailing lower case “m” and phosphorothioate modifications are denoted by underlining. Sense strand Anti-sense strand SEQ SEQ Duplex ID ID identi- Name sequence (5′-3′) NO: Name sequence(5′-3′) NO: fier AL3375 gacmumacmumggagcmumumcmggcmaTT 25 AL3376 ugccgaagcuccmagumagucTT 26 AL-DP- 4440 AL3377 agumgumcmagcmumgumaumcmcmumumcmTT 27 AL3378 gaaggaumacmagcugacmacuTT 28 AL-DP- 4441 AL3379 cmcmaaggagcmumggaumcmagggTT 29 AL3380 cccugauccmagcuccuuggTT 30 AL-DP- 4442

Low passage A549 cells (>95) were maintained in complete DMEM (DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS, penicillin, streptomycin and amphotericin). Cells were split at regular intervals to maintain exponential growth. 24 hours prior to transfection 70 to 80% confluent cells were trypsinised, harvested by centrifugation (800 g, 5 minutes) counted and re-suspended at 2.5×10⁵ cells per nil in complete DMEM, 2 ml of the cell suspension was then added to each well of a 6 well plate, cells were then incubated overnight and the confluence checked. Immediately prior to transfection the cells were rinsed with 1 ml of OptiMEM and then over-laid with 2 ml of OptiMEM, 2 mM stocks of 2′ O-methyl chemically-modified IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4440, AL-DP-4441, AL-DP-4442) were stored as 2 μl aliquots at −20° C. and 20 μM stocks of the “parental” IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623, AL-DP-4624) were stored as 20 μl aliquots at −20° C. Transfections were carried out using Oligofectamine in accordance with the protocols of Elbashir et al 2002 and Invitrogen product literature. Cells were transfected with 100 nM of siRNA at a fixed ratio of oligofectamine to siRNA (30 pM siRNA per μl of oligofectamine) in 2400 μl of OptiMEM per well and cells collected after 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. In addition AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624 were transfected at 1.00 nM and cells collected after 72 hours. Time matched vehicle controls were carried out at each time point. Two wells of a 6 well plate of each treatment group were frozen prior to being harvested for RNA using TRIreagent. The RNA was then quantified by spectrophometry and used as a template for cDNA synthesis. IKK-2 mRNA levels were determined by Taqman realtime PCR analysis of the cDNA and normalised with respect to 18S RNA levels. One well of a 6 well plate of each treatment group was scraped and resuspended in 50 μl of lysis buffer [Tris-HCl pH6.8 (50 mM); NaCl (150 mM); Triton-X-100 (1%); SDS (0.1%); deoxycholic acid (0.5%); EDTA (0.01M)] containing protease and phosphatase inhibitors [Aprotinin (25 μg/ml); Leupeptin (10 μg/ml); Pepstatin A (10 μg/ml); DTT (5 mM); PMSF (0.5 mM); sodium orthovanadate (2 mM); sodium fluoride (1.25 mM); sodium pyrophosphate (1 mM)]. IKK1, IKK2 and actin protein levels were then determined by western blotting analysis. Identical transfection procedures and assay protocols were carried out when assessing activity of IKK2 siRNA using rat epithelial L2 cells or primary human airway smooth muscle cells.

Table 5 provides a summary of the results with respect to reductions in IKK2 mRNA and protein levels in IKK2 siRNA-transfected cells versus mock-transfected cells. The data provided demonstrated that two of the three modified siRNA oligos (AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442) give a similar level of knockdown of IKK2 as the respective more unmodified “parental” siRNA oligos (AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624) at both the protein and mRNA level in A549 cells. In contrast the level of knock down achieved by AL-DP-4440 did not appear to be similar to the “parental” siRNA duplex AL-DP-4619 at either the protein or the mRNA level. This loss in activity in AL-DP-4440 versus AL-DP-4619 is not surprising, and likely due to the fact the location of the 2′ O-Methyl substitutions were not well tolerated in this instance. The mRNA data would suggest that the most effective siRNA oligo is AL-DP-4442. However, the level of protein knock down appears to be similar for both AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442.

We then investigated the temporal reduction in IKK2 mRNA and protein in A549 cells using the two most potent chemically modified IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442). Silencing of the protein was observed as early as 6 hrs after transfection and resulted in marked reductions in IKK2 protein at 48 and 72 hrs (FIGS. 1 and 2). Less-modified versions of AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442 were also tested (AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624, respectively) and these gave a similar level and time course of IKK2 silencing. All 4 of these IKK2 siRNA demonstrated no inhibitory effect on IKK1 protein levels at any time point (FIGS. 1 and 2). The most potent of these IKK2 siRNA (AL-DP-4442) was also tested for silencing in primary human airway epithelial cells and demonstrated robust silencing of IKK2 mRNA and protein 72 hours after transfection as compared to mock transfected cells (FIG. 3). A control mismatch siRNA for AL-DP-4442 was also used in these studies and showed no silencing effect on IKK2 mRNA or protein (FIG. 3). The AL-DP-4442 mismatch siRNA (AL-DP-1976 (mismatches to AL-DP-4442 are bold): sense: 5′-cmcmaaggacmgumcmgaumcmacmggTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 31), anti-sense 5′-ccgugaucmgacguccuuggTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 32)) contains 4 mismatches to the IKK2 target mRNA (4 nucleotide pairings have the sense strand and anti-sense strands nucleotides inverted) but is otherwise identical to AL-DP-4442 in general nucleotide composition and chemistry. Lastly, in these experiments, no inhibitory effect on either IKK1 mRNA or protein expression was seen with AL-DP-4442 (data not shown).

Lastly, three chemically-modified IKK2 siRNA that showed activity against human IKK2 were also tested thr activity in a rat L2 epithelial cell line (FIG. 4) Of the three modified siRNA tested, one (AL-DP-4441) possesses 2 mismatches to the rat IKK2 mRNA sequence. As expected due to its 2 mismatches to rat IKK2, AL-DP-4441 showed reduced IKK2 silencing in rat cells relative to what was seen in human A549 cells. The two siRNA (AL-DP-4440 and AL-DP-4442) that had 100% conserved target identity against rat and human IKK2 showed the expected reductions in IKK2 mRNA, with AL-DP-4442 showing more robust silencing. As a result of these studies, AL-DP-4442 and its mismatched control siRNA were evaluated in vivo in a rat LPS-induced model of lung inflammation.

TABLE 5 Potency of 2′ O-methyl-modified IKK2 siRNAs (AL-DP-4440, AL-DP-4441 and AL-DP-4442) and their respective “parental” IKK2 siRNAs (AL-DP-4619, AL-DP-4623 and AL-DP-4624) in reducing IKK2 mRNA and protein levels in A549 pulmonary epithelial cells. Level of IKK2 silencing is expressed as compared to mock-transfected A549 cells. IKK2 IKK2 mRNA protein inhibition inhibition siRNA (%) (%) AL-DP-4440 46 44 (2′ OMe modified version of AL-DP-4619) AL-DP-4619 86 76 AL-DP-4441 52 86 (2′ OMe modified version of AL-DP-4623) AL-DP-4623 52 87 AL-DP-4442 81 75 (2′ OMe modified version of AL-DP-4624) AL-DP-4624 75 84

In Vivo Activity of siRNAs in Lung Inflammation Model

Rat LPS Model of Lung Inflammation

The rat LPS model of lung inflammation was carried out as described previously (Birrell, M. A., et al., (2006) Mol Pharmacol). Briefly, male Wistar rats (200-230 g) were purchased from Harlan-Olac (Bicester, UK) and allowed to acclimatize for at least 5 days before use. Food and water were supplied ad libitum. Rats were challenged with aerosolised endotoxin free saline (30 minutes) or LPS (1 mg/ml, Escherichia coli serotype 0111:B4 from Sigma, UK). Groups received vehicle or siRNA 72, 48 and 24 hr before aerosolised challenge (n=8). Another satellite group of animals (groups 1 and 6, n=6) were sacrificed 6 hours after the first dose of vehicle or siRNA—these groups are present to assess any direct inflammatory effect siRNA delivery. Budesonide (from Sigma, UK) was included as a positive control and orally dosed one hour before and 2 hours after challenge.

Treatment Groups:

Group Number Challenge Drug Treatment 1 Saline Vehicle (1 ml/kg, i.t.) 2 Saline AL-DP-4442 (0.5 mg/kg) 3 LPS Vehicle (1 ml/kg, i.t.) 4 LPS AL-DP-4442 (0.005 mg/kg) 5 LPS AL-DP-4442 (0.05 mg/kg) 6 LPS AL-DP-4442 (0.5 mg/kg) 7 LPS Mis-match IKK2 siRNA control (AL-DP-1976; 0.5 mg/kg) 8 LPS Budesonide (3 mg/kg)

Target and Inflammatory mRNA Expression in Lung

The excised lungs from all animals were flash frozen in liquid nitrogen for gene expression assessment of target mRNA silencing (IKK-2) as well as for inflammatory biomarker expression (TNFα, IL-1β, iNOS), mRNA levels were determined using TaqMan real-time PCR using methods previously described (Birrell, M. A., et al., (2005b). Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 172:74-84). Briefly, total cellular RNA was isolated from rat lungs using Tri Reagent (Sigma). The purity and integrity of the RNA samples were assessed by A260/A280 spectrophotometric measurements on the GeneQuant RNA/DNA quantifier (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, UK). RNA samples (1 μg) were reverse-transcribed on a Perkin Elmer 480 thermal cycler (Boston, Mass.). Samples were then stored at −20° C. until required for analysis. Transcriptional expression of target mRNA transcripts in cDNA samples was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and quantified by 5′-nuclease assay using fluorescent labeled ragman probes (TaqMan; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR with the ABI PRISM 770 Sequence Detection System (Perkin-Elmer, PE Applied Biosystems, Tokyo, Japan). Oligonucleotide primers and TaqMan probes for target genes (IKK-2, iNOS) were designed from published GenBank databases of mRNA sequences, using the Primer Express version 1.0 software (Perkin-Elmer, PE Applied Biosystems); TNF-α and IL-1β were pre-determined assay reagents (PDARs) from Applied Biosystems. The primers for the target gene used for real-time PCR were located in two different exons of each gene to avoid amplification of any contaminating genomic DNA. The TaqMan probe had a fluorescent reporter dye (FAM) covalently linked to its 5′-end and a downstream quencher dye (TAMRA) linked to its 3′-end. Fluorescence quenching depends on the spatial proximity of the reporter and quencher dyes. Reactions were internally controlled with the 18 s rRNA internal control (Perkin-Elmer, PE Applied Biosystems). Amplification and detection of specific products were performed in an ABI PRISM 7000 sequence detection system (Perkin-Elmer, PE Applied Biosystems). Results were analyzed using the Sequence Detection Software (Perkin-Elmer, PE Applied Biosystems), and the relative amount of target gene transcript was normalized to the amount of 18 s internal control transcript in the same cDNA sample. The data were then compared with levels in the saline/vehicle control group and are presented as fold increase over this group. Results are expressed as mean±s.e.mean.

Results:

IKK2 in RNA Reduction

Local lung delivery resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in IKK2 mRNA expression. Non-ITS exposed animals receiving one 0.5 mg/kg intratracheal administration of IKK2 siRNA demonstrated a 33% decrease in IKK2 mRNA expression relative to non-LPS-treated rats receiving vehicle only. As expected, ITS challenge in rats did not significantly increase IKK2 mRNA levels, although this has previously been shown to increase NF-κB activation. Rats receiving three daily 0.5 mg/kg intratracheal administrations of IKK2 siRNA followed by an LPS challenge demonstrated a 54% decrease in IKK2 mRNA expression vs. vehicle-treated rats similarly exposed to ITS. This effect was specific as a mismatch control for IKK2 siRNA given under the same conditions did not result in significant reduction in IKK2 mRNA (20% inhibition vs. vehicle-treated ITS-exposed rats). The inhibitory effect on IKK2 mRNA expression with the IKK2 siRNA was also demonstrated to be dose-dependent with reductions IKK2 mRNA of 54% and 13% at 0.5 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg; no reduction was seen when the IKK2 siRNA were given at a dose of 0.005 mg/kg (FIG. 5).

Inflammatory Mediator mRNA Levels

Administration of IKK2 siRNA to naïve rats did have an inhibitory effect on levels of TNF. IL-1 and iNOS mRNA (59%, 70% and 38% respectively). As expected, mRNA levels TNT, IL-1 and iNOS were increased following LPS administration (FIG. 6 a-c).

Follow-Up Gene Walk

Additional siRNAs were identified in a multi step sequence analysis process in order to design siRNAs targeting the IKK-B gene. The selected siRNAs are provided in Table 6. These siRNAs were assayed as described below with the results provided in Table 6.

Luciferase Reporter Assay Protocol

Low passage A549/NFkB-luc cells (from Panomics, cat#RC0002) were maintained in complete DMEM. Complete DMEM is DMEM (Gibco cat#11995-065) supplemented with 10% FCS, penicillin and streptomycin (Gibco) at 100 units/ml, and 100 ug/ml Hygromycin B (Roche cat#10-843-555-001). Cells were split at regular intervals to maintain exponential growth. 24 hours prior to transfection 70 to 80% confluent cells were trypsinised, harvested by centrifugation (800 g, 5 minutes) counted and re-suspended at 1.5×10⁵ cells per ml in DMEM/10% FBS (no antibiotics, “transfection media”). 100 ul of the cell suspension was then added to each well of a 96 well plate. Cells were then incubated overnight and the confluence checked. Desired confluence was ˜70%. Immediately prior to transfection the transfection media was aspirated off and 40 ul of fresh transfection media DMEM was added to each well, Transfections were carried out using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) in accordance with the Invitrogen product literature. Briefly, cells were transfected with 100 nM of siRNA and Lipofectamine 2000 was used at a concentration of 0.5 ul per well. siRNA and LF2000 were diluted in OptiMEM at 5 fold the desired final concentration (500 nM). 10 ul of siRNA/LF2000/OptiMEM mix was then added on top of the 40 ul of DMEM growth media. At 24 hours post transfection the cells were visually checked for viability and 50 ul of transfection media DMEM was added to each well (total well volume now 1.00 ul). At 42 hours post transfection (6 hrs prior to Luciferase assay read-out) cells were stimulated with 50 ng/ml of human TNFa (Sigma) in DMEM (no serum or antibiotics). Some wells were left unstimulated (no TNFa, DMEM only) to determine background levels. At 48 hrs, cells were washed once with DMEM without phenol red. 100 ul of DMEM without phenol red was then added to each well and Luciferase levels were determined using the Bright-Glo assay system as described in the product literature (Promega cat#E2620).

bDNA Protocol

Low passage A549 cells were maintained in complete F-12K (F12K media from ATCC, cat#30-2004, supplemented with 10% FCS, penicillin and streptomycin (Gibco) at 100 units/ml). Cells were split at regular intervals to maintain exponential growth. 24 hours prior to transfection 70 to 80% confluent cells were trypsinised, harvested by centrifugation (800 g, 5 minutes) counted and re-suspended at 1.5×10⁵ cells per ml in complete DMEM/10% PBS (no antibiotics, “transfection media”). 100 ul of the cell suspension was then added to each well of a 96 well plate. Cells were then incubated overnight and the confluence checked. Desired confluence was ˜70%. Immediately prior to transfection the growth media was aspirated off and 40 ul of fresh “transfection media” DMEM was added to each well. Transfections were carried out using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) in accordance with the Invitrogen product literature. Briefly, cells were transfected with 100 nM of siRNA and Lipofectamine 2000 was used at a concentration of 0.5 ul per well. siRNA and LF2000 were diluted in OptiMEM at 5 fold the desired final concentration (5000 nM). 10 ul of siRNA/LF2000/OptiMEM mix was then added on top of the 40 ul of DMEM “transfection media”. At 24 hours post transfection the cells were visually checked for viability and 50 ul of complete DMEM was added to each well (total well volume now 100 ul). At 48 hours post transfection, cells were lysed and mRNA was quantified as described in the literature for the Panomics Quantigene Assay System (IKK bDNA assay, order no. PA-10270).

Discussion of Results:

A larger series of IKK2 siRNA were screened with many showing inhibitory activity as measured by reductions in IKK2 mRNA levels (Table 6), Control siRNA (irrelevant or mis-match controls) showed no reduction of IKK2 mRNA levels. In addition, IKK2 siRNA were tested in a functional assay for their ability to inhibit NF-kB activity in a NF-kB luciferase reporter assay.

TABLE 6 Nuleotide sequences of various siRNAs specific for an IKK gene, their activity in reducing IKK mRNA in A549 cells, and their activity in reducing luciferase activity in A549/NFkB-luc cells 23mer pos.  Inhibition in human  SEQ SEQ mRNA Luc  access. No. Duplex Sense strand ID Antisense strand ID reduction reporter NM_001556.1 identifier sequence¹ NO: sequence¹ NO: bDNA assay² assay² 30-48 AD-15421 gcgcugcccgcguuaagauTT 33 aucuuaacgcgggcagcgcTT 34 − + 1044-1062 AD-15422 cacggaucccacguaugggTT 35 cccauacgugggauccgugTT 36 − + 2999-3017 AD-15423 uuuaauuauaguugcggccTT 37 ggccgcaacuauaauuaaaTT 38 − − 39-57 AD-15424 gcguuaagauucccgcauuTT 39 aaugcgggaaucuuaacgcTT 40 + + 1992-2010 AD-15425 gcgagugaucuauacgcagTT 41 cugcguauagaucacucgcTT 42 + − 152-170 AD-15426 gccgacagaguuagcacgaTT 43 ucgugcuaacucugucggcTT 44 − − 1042-1060 AD-15427 ggcacggaucccacguaugTT 45 cauacgugggauccgugccTT 46 + − 561-579 AD-15428 cauugccucugcgcuuagaTT 47 ucuaagcgcagaggcaaugTT 48 + + 900-918 AD-15429 ggacauuguuguuagcgaaTT 49 uucgcuaacaacaauguccTT 50 + − 1041-1059 AD-15430 gggcacggaucccacguauTT 51 auacgugggauccgugcccTT 52 + − 1045-1063 AD-15431 acggaucccacguaugggcTT 53 gcccauacgugggauccguTT 54 − + 1990-2008 AD-15432 gugcgagugaucuauacgcTT 55 gcguauagaucacucgcacTT 56 − − 2158-2176 AD-15433 gcuuguagcaagguccgugTT 57 cacggaccuugcuacaagcTT 58 − + 3149-3167 AD-15434 ccaagagcgacucauaguaTT 59 uacuaugagucgcucuuggTT 60 − − 1679-1697 AD-15435 ccgaguuugggaucacaucTT 61 gaugugaucccaaacucggTT 62 − − 32-50 AD-15436 gcugcccgcguuaagauucTT 63 gaaucuuaacgcgggcagcTT 64 − − 34-52 AD-15437 ugcccgcguuaagauucccTT 65 gggaaucuuaacgcgggcaTT 66 − + 154-172 AD-15438 cgacagaguuagcacgacaTT 67 ugucgugcuaacucugucgTT 68 + + 1287-1305 AD-15439 uauuucagacggcaaguuaTT 69 uaacuugccgucugaaauaTT 70 + − 1288-1306 AD-15440 auuucagacggcaaguuaaTT 71 uuaacuugccgucugaaauTT 72 + + 153-171 AD-15441 ccgacagaguuagcacgacTT 73 gucgugcuaacucugucggTT 74 − + 565-583 AD-15442 gccucugcgcuuagauaccTT 75 gguaucuaagcgcagaggcTT 76 − − 903-921 AD-15443 cauuguuguuagcgaagacTT 77 gucuucgcuaacaacaaugTT 78 − − 904-922 AD-15444 auuguuguuagcgaagacuTT 79 agucuucgcuaacaacaauTT 80 − − 1664-1682 AD-15445 aguacagcgagcaaaccgaTT 81 ucgguuugcucgcuguacuTT 82 + + 1995-2013 AD-15446 agugaucuauacgcagcucTT 83 gagcugcguauagaucacuTT 84 − + 2372-2390 AD-15447 agaguuucacggcccuagaTT 85 ucuagggccgugaaacucuTT 86 + − 2816-2834 AD-15448 ugcuuggaguacgguuugcTT 87 gcaaaccguacuccaagcaTT 88 + + 3001-3019 AD-15449 uaauuauaguugcggccugTT 89 caggccgcaacuauaauuaTT 90 + − 3002-3020 AD-15450 aauuauaguugcggccuggTT 91 ccaggccgcaacuauaauuTT 92 + − 3146-3164 AD-15451 cugccaagagcgacucauaTT 93 uaugagucgcucuuggcatTT 94 + − 3148-3166 AD-15452 gccaagagcgacucauaguTT 95 acuaugagucgcucuuggcTT 96 + − 3443-3461 AD-15453 uaccuaugguuagggcuucTT 97 gaagcccuaaccauagguaTT 98 − − 3504-3522 AD-15454 uggaucauuacuagugccaTT 99 uggcacuaguaaugauccaTT 100 − − 780-798 AD-15455 gaccgucgacuacuggagcTT 101 gcuccaguagucgacggucTT 102 + − 2001-2019 AD-15456 cuauacgcagcucaguaaaTT 103 uuuacugagcugcguauagTT 104 + − 38-56 AD-15457 cgcguuaagauucccgcauTT 105 augcgggaaucuuaacgcgTT 106 − + 432-450 AD-15458 cuuggcgcccaaugaccugTT 107 caggucauugggcgccaagTT 108 − + 1052-1070 AD-15459 ccacguaugggcccaauggTT 109 ccauugggcccauacguggTT 110 − + 1294-1312 AD-15460 gacggcaaguuaaaugaggTT 111 ccucauuuaacuugccgucTT 112 − − 1669-1687 AD-15461 agcgagcaaaccgaguuugTT 113 caaacucgguuugcucgcuTT 114 − − 1918-1936 AD-15462 cagcgaacugagggugacaTT 115 ugucacccucaguucgcugTT 116 − − 2000-2018 AD-15463 ucuauacgcagcucaguaaTT 117 uuacugagcugcguauagaTT 118 − − 33-51 AD-15464 cugcccgcguuaagauuccTT 119 ggaaucuuaacgcgggcagTT 120 − + 162-180 AD-15465 uuagcacgacaucaguaugTT 121 cauacugaugucgugcuaaTT 122 − − 783-801 AD-15466 cgucgacuacuggagcuucTT 123 gaagcuccaguagucgacgTT 124 − − 905-923 AD-15467 uuguuguuagcgaagacuuTT 125 aagucuucgcuaacaacaaTT 126 − + 909-927 AD-15468 uguuagcgaagacuugaauTT 127 auucaagucuucgcuaacaTT 128 + − 1051-1069 AD-15469 cccacguaugggcccaaugTT 129 cauugggcccauacgugggTT 130 + + 1053-1071 AD-15470 cacguaugggcccaauggcTT 131 gccauugggcccauacgugTT 132 − + 1303-1321 AD-15471 uuaaaugagggccacacauTT 133 auguguggcccucauuuaaTT 134 − − 1665-1683 AD-15472 guacagcgagcaaaccgagTT 135 cucgguuugcucgcuguacTT 136 + − 1777-1795 AD-15473 guagaacggaugauggcucTT 137 gagccaucauccguucuacTT 138 + + 1986-2004 AD-15474 gaaagugcgagugaucuauTT 139 auagaucacucgcacuuucTT 140 + − 1988-2006 AD-15475 aagugcgagugaucuauacTT 141 guauagaucacucgcacuuTT 142 + − 1996-2014 AD-15476 gugaucuauacgcagcucaTT 143 ugagcugcguauagaucacTT 144 + + 2191-2209 AD-15477 agcccggauagcaugaaugTT 145 cauucaugcuauccgggcuTT 146 + + 2212-2230 AD-15478 ucucgacuuagccagccugTT 147 caggcuggcuaagucgagaTT 148 − + 2820-2838 AD-15479 uggaguacgguuugccacaTT 149 uguggcaaaccguacuccaTT 150 + + 3153-3171 AD-15480 gagcgacucauaguaaccaTT 151 ugguuacuaugagucgcucTT 152 + + 3154-3172 AD-15481 agcgacucauaguaaccagTT 153 cugguuacuaugagucgcuTT 154 + + 3506-3524 AD-15482 gaucauuacuagugccauaTT 155 uauggcacuaguaaugaucTT 156 − + 3510-3528 AD-15483 auuacuagugccauaacccTT 157 ggguuauggcacuaguaauTT 158 + − 3737-3755 AD-15484 cacacuaugcacugggaaaTT 159 uuucccagugcauagugugTT 160 − + 17-35 AD-15485 aggaagucgcgccgcgcugTT 161 cagcgcggcgcgacuuccuTT 162 − − 28-46 AD-15486 ccgcgcugcccgcguuaagTT 163 cuuaacgcgggcagcgcggTT 164 − − 31-49 AD-15487 cgcugcccgcguuaagauuTT 165 aaucuuaacgcgggcagcgTT 166 − − 40-58 AD-15488 cguuaagauucccgcauuuTT 167 aaaugcgggaaucuuaacgTT 168 − − 45-63 AD-15489 agauucccgcauuuuaaugTT 169 cauuaaaaugcgggaaucuTT 170 − − 48-66 AD-15490 uucccgcauuuuaauguuuTT 171 aaacauuaaaaugcgggaaTT 172 − + 142-160 AD-15491 ccgcgucccugccgacagaTT 173 ucugucggcagggacgcggTT 174 − + 155-173 AD-15492 gacagaguuagcacgacauTT 175 augucgugcuaacucugucTT 176 − − 167-185 AD-15493 acgacaucaguaugagcugTT 177 cagcucauacugaugucguTT 178 − − 263-281 AD-15494 ucauccgauggcacaaucaTT 179 ugauugugccaucggaugaTT 180 − + 265-283 AD-15495 auccgauggcacaaucaggTT 181 ccugauugugccaucggauTT 182 − − 339-357 AD-15496 ccgagagcgguggugccugTT 183 caggcaccaccgcucucggTT 184 − − 342-360 AD-15497 agagcgguggugccuggagTT 185 cuccaggcaccaccgcucuTT 186 − − 390-408 AD-15498 caaugugguggcugcccgaTT 187 ucgggcagccaccacauugTT 188 − + 429-447 AD-15499 gaacuuggcgcccaaugacTT 189 gucauugggcgccaaguucTT 190 − + 431-449 AD-15500 acuuggcgcccaaugaccuTT 191 aggucauugggcgccaaguTT 192 − − 485-503 AD-15501 aucuccggaaguaccugaaTT 193 uucagguacuuccggagauTT 194 − − 568-586 AD-15502 ucugcgcuuagauaccuucTT 195 gaagguaucuaagcgcagaTT 196 − − 596-614 AD-15503 gaaucauccaucgggaucuTT 197 agaucccgauggaugauucTT 198 − − 666-684 AD-15504 aauuauugaccuaggauauTT 199 auauccuaggucaauaauuTT 200 − − 792-810 AD-15505 cuggagcuucggcacccugTT 201 cagggugccgaagcuccagTT 202 + − 873-891 AD-15506 uucaaaagugcggcagaagTT 203 cuucugccgcacuuuugaaTT 204 − + 913-931 AD-15507 agcgaagacuugaauggaaTT 205 uuccauucaagucuucgcuTT 206 + − 919-937 AD-15508 gacuugaauggaacggugaTT 207 ucaccguuccauucaagucTT 208 + − 920-938 AD-15509 acuugaauggaacggugaaTT 209 uucaccguuccauucaaguTT 210 + − 1054-1072 AD-15510 acguaugggcccaauggcuTT 211 agccauugggcccauacguTT 212 + − 1100-1118 AD-15511 acuuaaagcugguucauauTT 213 auaugaaccagcuuuaaguTT 214 + − 1246-1264 AD-15512 gcgggccuggcguugauccTT 215 ggaucaacgccaggcccgcTT 216 − − 1281-1299 AD-15513 ucaguguauuucagacggcTT 217 gccgucugaaauacacugaTT 218 − − 1282-1300 AD-15514 caguguauuucagacggcaTT 219 ugccgucugaaauacacugTT 220 + + 1301-1319 AD-15515 aguuaaaugagggccacacTT 221 guguggcccucauuuaacuTT 222 − + 1305-1323 AD-15516 aaaugagggccacacauugTT 223 caauguguggcccucauuuTT 224 − + 1402-1420 AD-15517 agugucagcuguauccuucTT 225 gaaggauacagcugacacuTT 226 + + 1427-1445 AD-15518 ccaagaggaaucucgccuuTT 227 aaggcgagauuccucuuggTT 228 + + 1496-1514 AD-15519 ugaaggaagauugcaaccgTT 229 cgguugcaaucuuccuucaTT 230 − − 1497-1515 AD-15520 gaaggaagauugcaaccggTT 231 ccgguugcaaucuuccuucTT 232 + − 1501-1519 AD-15521 gaagauugcaaccggcugcTT 233 gcagccgguugcaaucuucTT 234 + − 1529-1547 AD-15522 agcgagccgccaugaugaaTT 235 uucaucauggcggcucgcuTT 236 + − 1668-1686 AD-15523 cagcgagcaaaccgaguuuTT 237 aaacucgguuugcucgcugTT 238 + + 1680-1698 AD-15524 cgaguuugggaucacaucaTT 239 ugaugugaucccaaacucgTT 240 + − 1683-1701 AD-15525 guuugggaucacaucagauTT 241 aucugaugugaucccaaacTT 242 + − 1746-1764 AD-15526 cugugggcgggagaacgaaTT 243 uucguucucccgcccacagTT 244 − + 1756-1774 AD-15527 gagaacgaagugaaacuccTT 245 ggaguuucacuucguucucTT 246 − − 1789-1807 AD-15528 auggcucugcagaccgacaTT 247 ugucggucugcagagccauTT 248 − − 1886-1904 AD-15529 uguacaggagacuaagggaTT 249 ucccuuagucuccuguacaTT 250 + − 1910-1928 AD-15530 cucgagaccagcgaacugaTT 251 ucaguucgcuggucucgagTT 252 + − 1964-1982 AD-15531 aggcaauucagagcuucgaTT 253 ucgaagcucugaauugccuTT 254 + + 1987-2005 AD-15532 aaagugcgagugaucuauaTT 255 uauagaucacucgcacuuuTT 256 + + 1991-2009 AD-15533 ugcgagugaucuauacgcaTT 257 ugcguauagaucacucgcaTT 258 + + 1993-2011 AD-15534 cgagugaucuauacgcagcTT 259 gcugcguauagaucacucgTT 260 + − 1997-2015 AD-15535 ugaucuauacgcagcucagTT 261 cugagcugcguauagaucaTT 262 + − 2004-2022 AD-15536 uacgcagcucaguaaaacuTT 263 aguuuuacugagcugcguaTT 264 + − 2070-2088 AD-15537 gguggugagcuuaaugaauTT 265 auucauuaagcucaccaccTT 266 + − 2149-2167 AD-15538 cugaagauugcuuguagcaTT 267 ugcuacaagcaaucuucagTT 268 + − 2192-2210 AD-15539 gcccggauagcaugaaugcTT 269 gcauucaugcuauccgggcTT 270 + − 2201-2219 AD-15540 gcaugaaugccucucgacuTT 271 agucgagaggcauucaugcTT 272 + − 2209-2227 AD-15541 gccucucgacuuagccagcTT 273 gcuggcuaagucgagaggcTT 274 − − 2320-2338 AD-15542 cucugcacccugcuagaaaTT 275 uuucuagcagggugcagagTT 276 + − 2371-2389 AD-15543 cagaguuucacggcccuagTT 277 cuagggccgugaaacucugTT 278 + − 2376-2394 AD-15544 uuucacggcccuagacuggTT 279 ccagucuagggccgugaaaTT 280 − + 2397-2415 AD-15545 cugguuacagacggaagaaTT 281 uucuuccgucuguaaccagTT 282 + + 2625-2643 AD-15546 cagauggagcucucgcuucTT 283 gaagcgagagcuccaucugTT  284 − − 2817-2835 AD-15547 gcuuggaguacgguuugccTT 285 ggcaaaccguacuccaagcTT 286 − − 2946-2964 AD-15548 ucucacuuuacagcuugugTT 287 cacaagcuguaaagugagaTT 288 − − 2997-3015 AD-15549 aguuuaauuauaguugcggTT 289 ccgcaacuauaauuaaacuTT 290 − + 2998-3016 AD-15550 guuuaauuauaguugcggcTT 291 gccgcaacuauaauuaaacTT 292 − − 3003-3021 AD-15551 auuauaguugcggccuggcTT 293 gccaggccgcaacuauaauTT 294 − − 3068-3086 AD-15552 uuuuaccuacuacuuugguTT 295 accaaaguaguagguaaaaTT 296 − − 3076-3094 AD-15553 acuacuuuggugguuguccTT 297 ggacaaccaccaaaguaguTT 298 − + 3152-3170 AD-15554 agagcgacucauaguaaccTT 299 gguuacuaugagucgcucuTT 300 − − 3158-3176 AD-15555 acucauaguaaccaggaugTT 301 cauccugguuacuaugaguTT 302 − − 3395-3413 AD-15556 uaacaugucucaaacacucTT 303 gaguguuugagacauguuaTT 304 − + 3428-3446 AD-15557 aauccacuguuagaauaccTT 305 gguauucuaacaguggauuTT 306 − − 3449-3467 AD-15558 ugguuagggcuucugaacuTT 307 aguucagaagcccuaaccaTT 308 − − 3491-3509 AD-15559 uuuguauagugccuggaucTT 309 gauccaggcacuauacaaaTT 310 − − 3492-3510 AD-15560 uuguauagugccuggaucaTT 311 ugauccaggcacuauacaaTT 312 − − 3493-3511 AD-15561 uguauagugccuggaucauTT 313 augauccaggcacuauacaTT 314 − − 3563-3581 AD-15562 uauaaaggcaagagcacaaTT 315 uugugcucuugccuuuauaTT 316 − − 3685-3703 AD-15563 uggucaaguaaguuuagggTT 317 cccuaaacuuacuugaccaTT 318 − − 3688-3706 AD-15564 ucaaguaaguuuagggagcTT 319 gcucccuaaacuuacuugaTT 320 − − 3698-3716 AD-15565 uuagggagcuauucauguuTT 321 aacaugaauagcucccuaaTT 322 − + 3731-3749 AD-15566 gagauucacacuaugcacuTT 323 agugcauagugugaaucucTT 324 + − 3732-3750 AD-15567 agauucacacuaugcacugTT 325 cagugcauagugugaaucuTT 326 + − 3815-3833 AD-15568 ucaaugucauuuggcuauaTT 327 uauagccaaaugacauugaTT 328 + − 3817-3835 AD-15569 aaugucauuuggcuauagaTT 329 ucuauagccaaaugacauuTT 330 + − 3877-3895 AD-15570 acauuccaaugaacuagcaTT 331 ugcuaguucauuggaauguTT 332 − − ¹Lower case letters = ribonucleotides; upper case letters = deoxyribonucleotides; ²>25% = “+”; 25-0% = “-” 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compound, comprising an antisense strand and a sense strand that are separate and each equal to or less than 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the compound is targeted to the target sequence of AL-DP-4440 (SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:26) within a nucleic acid molecule encoding IKK-B, and wherein the compound specifically hybridizes with the nucleic acid molecule so that expression of IKK-B is inhibited by at least 40%.
 2. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the dsRNA further comprises a non-nucleotide moiety.
 3. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the dsRNA is stabilized against nucleolytic degradation.
 4. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the sense strand and/or the antisense strand further comprises at least one 3′-overhang wherein the 3′-overhang comprises from 1 to 6 nucleotides.
 5. The dsRNA of claim 1, further comprising a phosphorothioate at the first internucleotide linkage at the 5′ end of the sense strand and/or the antisense strand.
 6. The dsRNA of claim 1, further comprising a phosphorothioate at the first internucleotide linkage at the 3′ end of the sense strand and/or the antisense strand.
 7. The dsRNA of claim 1, further comprising a 2′-modified nucleotide in the sense strand and/or the antisense strand.
 8. The dsRNA of claim 7, wherein the 2′-modified nucleotide comprises a modification selected from the group consisting of: 2′-deoxy, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl (2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), and 2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA).
 9. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the sense strand comprises 15 or more contiguous nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13.
 10. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the dsRNA consists of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:13 and SEQ ID NO:14.
 11. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the antisense strand comprises 15 or more contiguous nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:14.
 12. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the sense strand comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:25.
 13. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the antisense strand comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:26.
 14. The dsRNA of claim 1, wherein the dsRNA consists of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:26.
 15. A vector encoding at least one of the antisense strand and the sense strand of the dsRNA of claim
 1. 16. A cell comprising the dsRNA of claim
 1. 17. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising the dsRNA of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 